by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Science](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-sciences/physical-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 209 schools to find the best return on investment for physical science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Chadron State College the best value for a degree in physical science in the United States. Chadron State College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Chadron. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,294. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $22,912 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $47,254. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $41,421. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at University Of California Santa Cruz, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $18,559. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Cruz generally make around $40,920. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Emory University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Atlanta, Emory University is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,280. Students borrow a median of $19,431 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $67,840. That is a strong return on a $19,431 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $24,958 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $56,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.
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Villanova University earned the #6 position for value in physical science this year. Set in the suburb of Villanova, Villanova University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,776. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Villanova University generally make around $72,601. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Explore the best-value physical science schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 209 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.