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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

2 Colleges in the United States
$14,325 Avg Student Debt
$44,768 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Natural Sciences Badge [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.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for natural sciences students.

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2026 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region

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

Best Value Natural Sciences Schools

1
College Of The Mainland crest
College Of The Mainland
Texas City, TX

College Of The Mainland tops our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools in the Southwest Region. College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Texas City. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $4,140. Students borrow a median of $10,928 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $40,788. Set against $10,928 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

Students looking for strong value in natural sciences will find it at The University Of Texas At Brownsville, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Brownsville, The University Of Texas At Brownsville is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,148, while out-of-state students pay about $4,948. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $10,058. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Brownsville generally make around $30,343. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3
Lee College crest
Lee College
Baytown, TX

Lee College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in natural sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, compared with $5,045 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,941 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Lee College earn a median of $53,448 early in their careers. Set against $10,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Jacinto Community College earned it the #4 place for natural sciences. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, while out-of-state students pay about $6,690. Students borrow a median of $11,376 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $38,107. That is a strong return on a $11,376 median debt.

5

Students looking for strong value in natural sciences will find it at Mohave Community College, which ranked #5. Located in the rural area of Kingman, Mohave Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,208, with out-of-state students paying around $7,968. Students borrow a median of $14,766 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Mohave Community College earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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6

Rio Salado College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Rio Salado College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,958 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,679 to complete the natural sciences program here. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $48,564. That is a strong return on a $13,679 median debt.

7
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix College ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, Phoenix College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,204 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $51,053. That is a strong return on a $15,204 median debt.

8

Glendale Community College Glendale Az ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Glendale Community College Glendale Az is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $15,996. Soon after graduation, natural sciences degree recipients from Glendale Community College Glendale Az generally make around $51,483. That is a strong return on a $15,996 median debt.

9

South Mountain Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the city of Phoenix, South Mountain Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,958. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,825 ten years after entry.

10

Chandler Gilbert Community College placed #10 among the best values for natural sciences. Set in the city of Chandler, Chandler Gilbert Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,447 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Chandler Gilbert Community College earn a median of $46,943 early in their careers. Set against $10,447 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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11

Estrella Mountain Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Avondale, Estrella Mountain Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $21,752. Natural Sciences graduates of Estrella Mountain Community College earn a median of $78,359 early in their careers. Set against $21,752 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Gateway Community College Phoenix landed the #12 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the city of Phoenix, Gateway Community College Phoenix is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,358 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $15,736. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $50,350. That is a strong return on a $15,736 median debt.

13

Mesa Community College landed the #13 spot for natural sciences value this year. Located in the city of Mesa, Mesa Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,358, with out-of-state students paying around $8,959. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $54,730. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

14

Paradise Valley Community College ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Paradise Valley Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Phoenix. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,358, compared with $8,959 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,204 to complete the natural sciences program here. Natural Sciences graduates of Paradise Valley Community College earn a median of $71,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,204 median debt.

15

Scottsdale Community College ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value natural sciences schools. Set in the rural area of Scottsdale, Scottsdale Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,358, while out-of-state students pay about $8,959. Natural Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,084 in student loans. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $48,039. That is a strong return on a $13,084 median debt.

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16

Texas Christian University landed the #16 spot for natural sciences value this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Texas Christian University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,740 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for natural sciences graduates is $22,960. Early-career natural sciences graduates make about $60,035. Set against $22,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Christian University admits about 44% of applicants.

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Notes and References

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 · 26 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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