2026 Best Value Physical Science Schools in the Far Western Region

1

American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College tops our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools in the Far Western Region. 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, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

2

El Camino Community College District
Torrance, CA

El Camino Community College District came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the suburb of Torrance, El Camino Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,144, while out-of-state students pay about $7,630. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $41,589.

3

Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Long Beach, Long Beach City College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,556, compared with $12,544 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $6,000. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $38,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

4

Seattle Community College Central Campus
Seattle, WA

Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Seattle Community College Central Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College Central 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. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. That is a strong return on a $14,699 median debt.

5

Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Students looking for strong value in physical science will find it at Skagit Valley College, which ranked #5. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $7,410. Students borrow a median of $14,056 to complete the physical science program here. Early-career physical science graduates make about $44,860. Set against $14,056 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

6

Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College landed the #6 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga, Chaffey College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,184 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

7

Seattle Community College South Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,208 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.

8

Columbia Basin College
Pasco, WA

Columbia Basin College ranked #8 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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.

9

Seattle Community College North Campus
Seattle, WA

Seattle Community College North Campus earned the #9 position for value in physical science this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Students from in state pay about $5,238 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,643 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $48,739. That is a strong return on a $16,643 median debt.

10

Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. Located in the city of Vancouver, Clark College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. 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. That is a strong return on a $15,432 median debt.

11

South Puget Sound Community College
Olympia, WA

South Puget Sound Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science schools. South Puget Sound Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Olympia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,257, with out-of-state students paying around $5,818. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $14,245 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $39,430. Set against $14,245 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

12

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom
Lakewood, WA

Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom placed #12 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Lakewood, Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,418 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,976. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $17,154. Physical Science graduates of Pierce College At Fort Steilacoom earn a median of $39,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,154 median debt.

13

Shoreline Community College
Shoreline, WA

Shoreline Community College placed #13 among the best values for physical science. Shoreline Community College is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Shoreline. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,115, while out-of-state students pay about $7,905. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $16,700 in student loans. Physical Science graduates of Shoreline Community College earn a median of $62,009 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,700 median debt.

14

Highline Community College
Des Moines, WA

Highline Community College landed the #14 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Des Moines, Highline Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,772, while out-of-state students pay about $5,332. Typical student debt for physical science graduates is $8,958. Physical Science graduates of Highline Community College earn a median of $55,459 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA

Bellevue College came in at #15 for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Bellevue, Bellevue College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,436, while out-of-state students pay about $10,502. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $18,839 in student loans. Early-career physical science graduates make about $67,771. That is a strong return on a $18,839 median debt.

16

Green River Community College
Auburn, WA

Green River Community College came in at #16 for value in physical science this year. Set in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.

17

Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV

Western Nevada College placed #17 among the best values for physical science. Located in the city of Carson City, Western Nevada College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,168, compared with $12,834 for out-of-state students. Physical Science graduates carry a median of $15,948 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Western Nevada College generally make around $27,007. Set against $15,948 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

18

Cascadia Community College
Bothell, WA

Cascadia Community College landed the #18 spot for physical science value this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, Cascadia Community College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,157 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,296 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,000 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of Cascadia Community College earn a median of $27,352 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

Edmonds Community College
Lynnwood, WA

Edmonds Community College came in at #19 for value in physical science this year. Edmonds Community College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lynnwood. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,810, compared with $10,875 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,025 to complete the physical science program here. Soon after graduation, physical science degree recipients from Edmonds Community College generally make around $35,618. That is a strong return on a $16,025 median debt.

20

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #20 for value in physical science this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the physical science program here. Physical Science graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $40,920 early in their careers. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.