by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 28 schools to find the best return on investment for biological & physical sciences students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington tops our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Set in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,419 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $25,311. That is a strong return on a $26,419 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes Pennsylvania Western University one of the best values for biological & physical sciences. Set in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,436, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $34,380. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 28 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.