[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) 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 382 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for biological & physical science students.
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Finding the Best Value Biological & Physical Science School for You
The right biological & physical science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
For return on investment in biological & physical science, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $10,348 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $36,362 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at Moorpark College, which ranked #2. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Moorpark College generally make around $105,599. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of The Canyons earned it the #3 place for biological & physical science. College Of The Canyons is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Clarita. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,958 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,776. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from College Of The Canyons generally make around $51,913. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Golden West College is a large public school located in the suburb of Huntington Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,380, while out-of-state students pay about $11,628. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes Oxnard College one of the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Median earnings reach $41,393 ten years out.
Imperial Valley College landed the #6 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Imperial Valley College is a large public school located in the rural area of Imperial. Students from in state pay about $1,126 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,830. Students borrow a median of $6,176 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $23,311. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.
Cerritos College came in at #7 for value in biological & physical science this year. Cerritos College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norwalk. Students from in state pay about $1,364 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,004. Students borrow a median of $8,945 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Cerritos College earn a median of $25,221 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,945 median debt.
Norco College placed #8 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of Norco, Norco College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,428, while out-of-state students pay about $12,498. Students borrow a median of $8,203 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Skyline College landed the #9 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College earned the #10 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,672. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Moraine Valley Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Palos Hills, Moraine Valley Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,822, compared with $9,846 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,500 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $23,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Ventura College landed the #12 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Ventura College earn a median of $99,778 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College landed the #13 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,785 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $19,521. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Grossmont College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Grossmont College is a large public school located in the suburb of El Cajon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Shasta College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,197 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $12,324. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. Set against $12,324 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Saddleback College placed #16 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
Pasadena City College came in at #17 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College placed #18 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,250. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $33,115. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.
Victor Valley College came in at #19 for value in biological & physical science this year. Victor Valley College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Victorville. In-state tuition and fees average $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,205. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $26,780. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Santiago Canyon College earned the #20 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. In-state tuition and fees average $1,164, compared with $9,612 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.
City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College placed #21 among the best values for biological & physical science. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, while out-of-state students pay about $15,150. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $5,583 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College earn a median of $26,130 early in their careers. Set against $5,583 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lake Land College landed the #22 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,415, with out-of-state students paying around $14,301. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $7,769. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Lake Land College generally make around $30,294. That is a strong return on a $7,769 median debt.
Santa Monica College came in at #23 for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,193 ten years after entry.
San Diego City College ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,514 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of San Diego City College earn a median of $26,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,590, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,750. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $27,451. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in biological & physical science:
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 · 382 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 97 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) 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.
