by our College Data Analytics Team
[Biological & Physical Science](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/biological-physical-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong biological & physical science 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 science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in biological & physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington, our #1 best value for biological & physical science in Pennsylvania. Located in the suburb of Abington, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Abington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,268, with out-of-state students paying around $25,664. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,297 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $26,419 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $25,311 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania Western University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value biological & physical science schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,436 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,054. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,295 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Reading, Pennsylvania State University Penn State Berks is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,972, with out-of-state students paying around $26,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 99%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in biological & physical science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Biological & Physical Science graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Biological & Physical Science graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $34,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
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Pennsylvania State University Main Campus placed #6 among the best values for biological & physical science. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, 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.