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2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools

23 Colleges in the United States
$14,231 Avg Student Debt
$47,495 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Badge [General Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/general-physical-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 209 schools to find the best return on investment for general physical sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value General Physical Sciences School for You

The general physical sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.

Learn more about our methodology

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in General Physical Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in General Physical Sciences
Master's Degrees in General Physical Sciences
Doctorate Degrees in General Physical Sciences

Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.

Read more about College Factual’s methodology

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2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in general physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools

1
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College tops our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools 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, with out-of-state students paying around $12,616. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $14,105. General Physical Sciences 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

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Middlesex County College earned it the #2 place for general physical sciences. Set in the suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,764 in tuition and fees, compared with $7,356 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $7,250 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of Middlesex County College earn a median of $27,136 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $7,250 median debt.

3

Cuny Medgar Evers College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in general physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,352, with out-of-state students paying around $15,302. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $8,875. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Medgar Evers College generally make around $27,203. Set against $8,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

4

Students looking for strong value in general physical sciences will find it at Cuny College Of Staten Island, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Staten Island, Cuny College Of Staten Island is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,490, compared with $15,440 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,688 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $51,911. That is a strong return on a $14,688 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

5

Cuny New York City College Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,332 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,282 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,750 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences 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. The acceptance rate is 80%.

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6

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

7

Cuny Queensborough Community College landed the #7 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Cuny Queensborough Community College is a large public school located in the city of Bayside. In-state tuition and fees average $5,210, with out-of-state students paying around $8,090. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,052 in student loans. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $23,219. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

8
Long Beach City College crest
Long Beach City College
Long Beach, CA

Long Beach City College landed the #8 spot for general physical sciences value this year. 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 general physical sciences graduates is $6,000. Median earnings reach $38,870 ten years out. Set against $6,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Cuny Bronx Community College came in at #9 for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bronx, Cuny Bronx Community College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,206, while out-of-state students pay about $8,086. Students borrow a median of $8,224 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Bronx Community College generally make around $35,768. That is a strong return on a $8,224 median debt.

10
Cuny Laguardia Community College crest
Cuny Laguardia Community College
Long Island City, NY

Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #10 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Island City, Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,218 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,098. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $7,500. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Laguardia Community College generally make around $19,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College landed the #11 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, compared with $8,050 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $9,000. General Physical Sciences 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 earned the #12 position for value in general physical sciences this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $14,699. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Seattle Community College Central Campus generally make around $53,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

13
Chaffey College crest
Chaffey College
Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Chaffey College placed #13 among the best values for general physical sciences. Chaffey College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rancho Cucamonga. In-state tuition and fees average $1,184, compared with $11,120 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,952 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Chaffey College earn a median of $23,532 early in their careers. Set against $6,952 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

14
Skagit Valley College crest
Skagit Valley College
Mount Vernon, WA

Skagit Valley College placed #14 among the best values for general physical sciences. Located in the city of Mount Vernon, Skagit Valley College is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,400, compared with $7,410 for out-of-state students. General Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,056 in student loans. General Physical Sciences graduates of Skagit Valley College earn a median of $44,860 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

15

Seattle Community College South Campus ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle Community College South Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,208, with out-of-state students paying around $5,796. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,486 ten years after entry.

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16

Stella And Charles Guttman Community College ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Set in the city of New York, Stella And Charles Guttman Community College is a small public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,194, while out-of-state students pay about $8,074. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $22,496.

17

Tulsa Community College landed the #17 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,792, while out-of-state students pay about $9,720. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $10,750. General Physical Sciences graduates of Tulsa Community College earn a median of $41,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,750 median debt.

18

University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus placed #18 among the best values for general physical sciences. Set in the town of Gallup, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, with out-of-state students paying around $5,682. Students borrow a median of $10,986 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus earn a median of $35,132 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

North Central Michigan College earned the #19 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Petoskey, North Central Michigan College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,430, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $12,398. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $42,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

20

Seattle Community College North Campus earned the #20 position for value in general physical sciences this year. Seattle Community College North Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,238, while out-of-state students pay about $5,796. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $16,643. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Seattle Community College North Campus generally make around $48,739. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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21

Utah Valley University came in at #21 for value in general physical sciences this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

22

Columbia Basin College landed the #22 spot for general physical sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Pasco, Columbia Basin College is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,555, compared with $8,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $17,170. Early-career general physical sciences graduates make about $63,976. Set against $17,170 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College came in at #23 for value in general physical sciences 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, with out-of-state students paying around $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the general physical sciences program here. General Physical Sciences graduates of Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College earn a median of $34,214 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

24
Clark College crest
Clark College
Vancouver, WA

Clark College came in at #24 for value in general physical sciences this year. Clark College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Vancouver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,233, compared with $11,183 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,432 to complete the general physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Clark College generally make around $43,768. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Northern Oklahoma College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value general physical sciences schools. Located in the rural area of Tonkawa, Northern Oklahoma College is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,083, while out-of-state students pay about $11,848. Typical student debt for general physical sciences graduates is $11,811. Soon after graduation, general physical sciences degree recipients from Northern Oklahoma College generally make around $40,565. That is a strong return on a $11,811 median debt.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for general physical sciences this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
Bellevue College crest
Bellevue College
Bellevue, WA
35
36
Phoenix College crest
Phoenix College
Phoenix, AZ
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Western Nevada College crest
Western Nevada College
Carson City, NV
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to General Physical Sciences. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Physical Sciences, General 2,287

View All General Physical Sciences Concentrations >

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Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 23 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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