2026 Best Value Physical Science Associate’s Degree Schools

1

American River College
Sacramento, CA

Our analysis ranked American River College the best value for a degree in physical science in the United States. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,105. Physical Science graduates of American River College earn a median of $76,077 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

Middlesex County College
Edison, NJ

Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Middlesex County College, which ranked #2. Middlesex County College is a large public school located in the suburb of Edison. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Middlesex County College generally make around $27,136. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.

3

Cuny Medgar Evers College
Brooklyn, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Medgar Evers College earned it the #3 place for physical science. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,875 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $27,203. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

4

Cuny College Of Staten Island
Staten Island, NY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny College Of Staten Island earned it the #4 place for physical science. Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public school located in the city of Staten Island. Students from in state pay about $7,490 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,688. Early-career physical science graduates make about $51,911. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.

5

Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Brooklyn, NY

Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Cuny New York City College Of Technology, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,750 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Cuny New York City College Of Technology earn a median of $44,323 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

6

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District landed the #6 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Median earnings reach $41,589 ten years out.

7

Cuny Queensborough Community College
Bayside, NY

Cuny Queensborough Community College earned the #7 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Bayside, Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, compared with $8,090 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,052 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $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 placed #8 among the best values for physical science. Long Beach City College is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,556, with out-of-state students paying around $12,544. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $6,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $38,870 ten years after entry. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cuny Bronx Community College
Bronx, NY

Cuny Bronx Community College landed the #9 spot for physical science value this year. Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Bronx. Students from in state pay about $5,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $8,224 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $35,768. 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. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,098 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $7,500. Early-career physical science graduates make about $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 landed the #11 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,170, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

12

Seattle Community College Central Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College Central Campus landed the #12 spot for physical science value this year. Seattle Community College Central Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, compared with $5,796 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,699 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Set against $14,699 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

13

Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,184, with out-of-state students paying around $11,120. Students borrow a median of $6,952 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,952 median debt.

14

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College earned the #14 position for value in physical science this year. Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Mount Vernon. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,056. Early-career physical science graduates make about $44,860. That is a strong return on a $14,056 median debt.

15

Seattle Community College South Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Median earnings reach $44,486 ten years out.

16

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College
New York, NY

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College landed the #16 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,194 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,074. Early-career physical science graduates make about $22,496.

17

Tulsa Community College
Tulsa, OK

Tulsa Community College earned the #17 position for value in physical science this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $3,792 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $9,720. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $10,750 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. Set against $10,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,906, compared with $5,682 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $35,132. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

19

North Central Michigan College
Petoskey, MI

North Central Michigan College placed #19 among the best values for physical science. Set in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,430, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $12,398 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $42,952. Set against $12,398 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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. In-state tuition and fees average $5,238, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $16,643. 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 earned the #21 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA

Columbia Basin College earned the #22 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $17,170. Early-career physical science graduates make about $63,976. 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 landed the #23 spot for physical science value this year. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. Students from in state pay about $4,250 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $11,653. 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. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,432 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Clark College earn a median of $43,768 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Northern Oklahoma College
Tonkawa, OK

Northern Oklahoma College earned the #25 position for value in physical science this year. Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Tonkawa. In-state tuition and fees average $5,083, with out-of-state students paying around $11,848. Students borrow a median of $11,811 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.