2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools

1

American River College
Sacramento, CA

For return on investment in physical science, no school beat American River College this year. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Middlesex County College
Edison, NJ

A rank of #2 makes Middlesex County College one of the best values for physical science. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $7,250. Physical Science graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. Set against $7,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

3

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #3 makes Cuny Medgar Evers College one of the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,875. Early-career physical science graduates make about $27,203. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

4

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

A rank of #4 makes Cuny College Of Staten Island one of the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,490, while out-of-state students pay about $15,440. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,688. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny College Of Staten Island generally make around $51,911. Set against $14,688 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny College Of Staten Island admits about 92% of applicants.

5

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #5 makes Cuny New York City College Of Technology one of the best values for physical science. Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. In-state tuition and fees average $7,332, while out-of-state students pay about $15,282. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,750. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny New York City College Of Technology generally make around $44,323. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants.

6

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. El Camino Community College District is a very large public school located in the suburb of Torrance. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, compared with $7,630 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,589 ten years after entry.

7

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College placed #7 among the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,210 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Queensborough Community College generally make around $23,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #8 for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,000 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

9

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #9 spot for physical science value this year. Located in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,206, with out-of-state students paying around $8,086. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,224. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Bronx Community College earn a median of $35,768 early in their careers. Set against $8,224 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

10

Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,218, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

11

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College
New York, NY

Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College placed #11 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College earn a median of $26,948 early in their careers. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Seattle Community College Central Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College Central Campus earned the #12 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Seattle Community College Central Campus earn a median of $53,048 early in their careers. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College came in at #13 for value in physical science this year. Located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, while out-of-state students pay about $11,120. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Chaffey College generally make around $23,532. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.

14

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College came in at #14 for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Skagit Valley College generally make around $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Seattle Community College South Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College South Campus placed #15 among the best values for physical science. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.

16

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College
New York, NY

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College placed #16 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,194, compared with $8,074 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates of Stella And Charles Guttman Community College earn a median of $22,496 early in their careers.

17

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College came in at #17 for value in physical science this year. Tulsa Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Tulsa. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, compared with $9,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $10,750. Early-career physical science graduates make about $41,718. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

18

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Gallup, NM

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus generally make around $35,132. That is a strong return on a $10,986 median debt.

19

North Central Michigan College
Petoskey, MI

North Central Michigan College came in at #19 for value in physical science this year. North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Petoskey. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,430, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $12,398 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of North Central Michigan College earn a median of $42,952 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Seattle Community College North Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College North Campus earned the #20 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Seattle Community College North Campus earn a median of $48,739 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

21

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

Utah Valley University placed #21 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA

Columbia Basin College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $6,555 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,668. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $17,170. Physical Science graduates of Columbia Basin College earn a median of $63,976 early in their careers. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College placed #23 among the best values for physical science. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, compared with $7,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,653 median debt.

24

Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College landed the #24 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, with out-of-state students paying around $11,183. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Set against $15,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK

Northern Oklahoma College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, compared with $11,848 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $11,811. Physical Science graduates of Northern Oklahoma College earn a median of $40,565 early in their careers. Set against $11,811 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.