ADBLOCK #102
College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

15 Colleges in the United States
$15,468 Avg Student Debt
$49,810 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Badge [Biological & Physical Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 56 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biological & physical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

ADBLOCK #159
DEBUG: Raw major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Initial offers_url = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json", major_slug = ""
DEBUG: After cleaning major_slug = ""
DEBUG: Before URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After TrimSuffix = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After HTTPS placeholder = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After slash cleaning = "HTTPS_TEMP_PLACEHOLDERwww.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: After URL cleaning = "https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json"
DEBUG: offers_url = https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/biological-and-physical-sciences/offers.json
DEBUG: major_slug = ""
DEBUG: offers_url is valid, proceeding to fetch data
DEBUG: No offers_data.offers found, showing generic ESYOH widget

2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the biological & physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Biological & Physical Sciences Schools

1

For return on investment in biological & physical sciences, no school beat New College Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Sarasota, New College Of Florida is a small public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,916, compared with $29,944 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $32,858. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New College Of Florida admits about 73% of applicants.

2

Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Lord Fairfax Community College, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Middletown, Lord Fairfax Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,072 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $11,510. Students borrow a median of $8,400 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Lord Fairfax Community College earn a median of $37,850 early in their careers. Set against $8,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Students looking for strong value in biological & physical sciences will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

4

J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Richmond, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,280, with out-of-state students paying around $11,718. Students borrow a median of $10,948 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from J Sargeant Reynolds Community College generally make around $23,059. That is a strong return on a $10,948 median debt.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Virginia Western Community College earned it the #5 place for biological & physical sciences. Virginia Western Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Roanoke. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,400, with out-of-state students paying around $11,838. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $7,334. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Virginia Western Community College earn a median of $27,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,334 median debt.

ADBLOCK #101
6

John Tyler Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Chester, John Tyler Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,082, while out-of-state students pay about $11,520. Students borrow a median of $11,262 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $36,623. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Florida International University placed #7 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

8

Piedmont Virginia Community College placed #8 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Piedmont Virginia Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Charlottesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,072, compared with $11,510 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,495 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Piedmont Virginia Community College earn a median of $46,129 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Tidewater Community College came in at #9 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Tidewater Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,858, with out-of-state students paying around $12,296. Typical student debt for biological & physical sciences graduates is $9,787. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Tidewater Community College generally make around $30,605. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Northern Virginia Community College earned the #10 position for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Northern Virginia Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Annandale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,891, compared with $12,410 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $21,923. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.

ADBLOCK #115
11

Thomas Nelson Community College came in at #11 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Hampton, Thomas Nelson Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,088, while out-of-state students pay about $11,526. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,400 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Thomas Nelson Community College earn a median of $25,468 early in their careers. Set against $10,400 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave placed #12 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the rural area of Weyers Cave, Blue Ridge Community College Weyers Cave is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,646, with out-of-state students paying around $12,084. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,650 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13

The University Of Virginias College At Wise came in at #13 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Wise, The University Of Virginias College At Wise is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,780, while out-of-state students pay about $28,010. Students borrow a median of $17,714 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $43,988. Set against $17,714 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Georgia placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical sciences. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $20,600 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $25,508 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.

15

Middle Tennessee State University landed the #15 spot for biological & physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $31,125 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.

ADBLOCK #145
16

Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #16 for value in biological & physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Students borrow a median of $26,975 to complete the biological & physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $36,709. That is a strong return on a $26,975 median debt. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants.

17
Virginia Wesleyan College crest
Virginia Wesleyan College
Virginia Beach, VA

Virginia Wesleyan College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia Wesleyan College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $37,500 in tuition and fees. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,925 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical sciences graduates make about $45,517. That is a strong return on a $27,925 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of Virginia Main Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Charlottesville, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,118, while out-of-state students pay about $61,591. Biological & Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,627 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Virginia Main Campus generally make around $69,126. Set against $18,627 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 17% of applicants are accepted.

ADBLOCK #173
View All Biological & Physical Sciences Rankings >

ADBLOCK #115

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 56 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

ADBLOCK #116

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs
ADBLOCK #613

Compare Your School Options