by our College Data Analytics Team
[Natural Sciences](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/natural-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value natural sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in natural sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Erie Community College earned the #1 spot for value among natural sciences schools in New York. Erie Community College is a large public school located in the city of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,100, while out-of-state students pay about $11,300. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,580 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $37,069. That is a strong return on a $12,580 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in natural sciences will find it at Daemen College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Amherst, Daemen College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $35,218. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $6,394. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in natural sciences will find it at New York University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of New York, New York University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,796 in tuition and fees. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from New York University generally make around $64,516. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. New York University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hofstra University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Hofstra University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Hempstead. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $57,660. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $24,848. Natural Sciences graduates of Hofstra University earn a median of $55,705 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants.
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The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.