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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Associate’s Degree Schools

62 Colleges in the United States
$10,516 Avg Student Debt
$41,395 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Associate's Degree Badge [Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

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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2026 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools

1
Moorpark College crest
Moorpark College
Moorpark, CA

Leading the list is Moorpark College, our #1 best value for biological & physical science in the United States. Moorpark College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Moorpark. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,615 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,075 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $105,599. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2
College Of The Canyons crest
College Of The Canyons
Santa Clarita, CA

Students looking for strong value in biological & physical science will find it at College Of The Canyons, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,166, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. Set against $9,776 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3
Golden West College crest
Golden West College
Huntington Beach, CA

Golden West College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,380 in tuition and fees, 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.

4
Oxnard College crest
Oxnard College
Oxnard, CA

Oxnard College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,426 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.

5

Imperial Valley College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #5 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $8,830. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,176 in student loans. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $23,311. That is a strong return on a $6,176 median debt.

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Cerritos College crest
Cerritos College
Norwalk, CA

Cerritos College earned the #6 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Norwalk, Cerritos College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7
Norco College crest
Norco College
Norco, CA

Norco College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Norco College is a large public school located in the suburb of Norco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,428, compared with $12,498 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,203 in student loans. Median earnings reach $51,206 ten years out. Set against $8,203 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

8
Skyline College crest
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA

Skyline College earned the #8 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Median earnings reach $55,702 ten years out.

9

Irvine Valley College landed the #9 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, Irvine Valley College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $11,860. Students borrow a median of $6,672 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $49,156. That is a strong return on a $6,672 median debt.

10
Ventura College crest
Ventura College
Ventura, CA

Ventura College placed #10 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the city of Ventura, Ventura College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, with out-of-state students paying around $9,615. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $20,250. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Ventura College generally make around $99,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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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. Students from in state pay about $3,822 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,846. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $6,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Moraine Valley Community College generally make around $23,128. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

San Diego Mesa College earned the #12 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,146 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Students borrow a median of $7,785 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $19,521. That is a strong return on a $7,785 median debt.

13
Grossmont College crest
Grossmont College
El Cajon, CA

Grossmont College earned the #13 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, compared with $10,628 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $40,309 ten years after entry.

14
Shasta College crest
Shasta College
Redding, CA

Shasta College placed #14 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the suburb of Redding, Shasta College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,197, compared with $8,853 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,324 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Shasta College earn a median of $31,415 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $12,324 median debt.

15
Saddleback College crest
Saddleback College
Mission Viejo, CA

Saddleback College earned the #15 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $5,707. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Set against $5,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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Pasadena City College landed the #16 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,191. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.

17

City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. Biological & Physical Science graduates of City Colleges Of Chicago Richard J Daley College earn a median of $33,115 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt.

18
Victor Valley College crest
Victor Valley College
Victorville, CA

Victor Valley College placed #18 among the best values for biological & physical science. Set in the suburb of Victorville, Victor Valley College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,425, while out-of-state students pay about $10,125. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Victor Valley College generally make around $26,780. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.

19

Santiago Canyon College placed #19 among the best values for biological & physical science. Santiago Canyon College is a large public school located in the city of Orange. Students from in state pay about $1,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $9,612. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. That is a strong return on a $5,500 median debt.

20

City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. City Colleges Of Chicago Wilbur Wright College is a large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,590, with out-of-state students paying around $15,150. Students borrow a median of $5,583 to complete the biological & physical science program here. 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.

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Lake Land College crest
Lake Land College
Mattoon, IL

Lake Land College landed the #21 spot for biological & physical science value this year. Set in the rural area of Mattoon, Lake Land College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,415, while out-of-state students pay about $14,301. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $7,769 in student loans. 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.

22
Santa Monica College crest
Santa Monica College
Santa Monica, CA

Santa Monica College came in at #22 for value in biological & physical science this year. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. 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.

23

San Diego City College ranked #23 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $9,514. Early-career biological & physical science graduates make about $26,218. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24

City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College earned the #24 position for value in biological & physical science this year. Set in the city of Chicago, City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,590 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,150 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for biological & physical science graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, biological & physical science degree recipients from City Colleges Of Chicago Harold Washington College generally make around $27,451. That is a strong return on a $8,750 median debt.

25
Yuba College crest
Yuba College
Marysville, CA

Yuba College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Marysville, Yuba College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,128, with out-of-state students paying around $8,208. Students borrow a median of $8,729 to complete the biological & physical science program here. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Yuba College earn a median of $89,816 early in their careers. Set against $8,729 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Biological & Physical Science Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for biological & physical science this year:

26
27
Moreno Valley College crest
Moreno Valley College
Moreno Valley, CA
28
Carl Sandburg College crest
Carl Sandburg College
Galesburg, IL
29
30
31
Canada College crest
Canada College
Redwood City, CA
32
33
34
De Anza College crest
De Anza College
Cupertino, CA
35
36
37
38
39
Gavilan College crest
Gavilan College
Gilroy, CA
40
Santa Ana College crest
Santa Ana College
Santa Ana, CA
41
42
43
Mission College crest
Mission College
Santa Clara, CA
44
Taft College crest
Taft College
Taft, CA
45
Cypress College crest
Cypress College
Cypress, CA
46
47
Sacramento City College crest
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, CA
48
Allan Hancock College crest
Allan Hancock College
Santa Maria, CA
49
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA
50

Other Biological & Physical Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value biological & physical science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Biological & Physical Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Biological & Physical Science
Master's Degrees in Biological & Physical Science
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View All Biological & Physical Science Rankings >

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Notes and References

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 · 382 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 62 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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