[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 1522 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
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Finding the Best Value Physical Sciences School for You
The right physical sciences school can pay off for years to come. To help, we created our Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Physical Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
College Of The Canyons earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Santa Clarita, College Of The Canyons is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,166 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,958. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $9,776 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of College Of The Canyons earn a median of $51,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,776 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Los Angeles earned it the #2 place for physical sciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $11,000. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $44,944 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,583. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,132. That is a strong return on a $17,583 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Moorpark College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Moorpark, Moorpark College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,075 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Moorpark College earn a median of $105,599 early in their careers. Set against $17,075 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #5 makes College Of San Mateo one of the best values for physical sciences. College Of San Mateo is a large public school located in the city of San Mateo. Students from in state pay about $1,332 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $11,428. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,831. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $54,172. That is a strong return on a $12,831 median debt.
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,303. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $34,239 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
San Diego Miramar College came in at #7 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego Miramar College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,098 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Miramar College earn a median of $41,038 early in their careers. Set against $8,098 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Middlesex County College came in at #8 for value in physical sciences this year. 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. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $7,250. Physical Sciences 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.
Cuny Hunter College placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Students borrow a median of $9,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $29,340. Set against $9,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Skyline College placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the suburb of San Bruno, Skyline College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,332, with out-of-state students paying around $9,956. Graduates go on to earn a median of $55,702 ten years after entry.
California State University Northridge placed #11 among the best values for physical sciences. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,874. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Oxnard College came in at #12 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Oxnard, Oxnard College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,426, while out-of-state students pay about $9,615. Graduates go on to earn a median of $41,393 ten years after entry.
Irvine Valley College landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. Irvine Valley College is a large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $1,156 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,860 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $6,672 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,156 ten years after entry. Set against $6,672 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Florida came in at #14 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $53,651. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Saddleback College placed #15 among the best values for physical sciences. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $5,707. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $15,890. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
San Diego Mesa College came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
Santiago Canyon College landed the #17 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Orange, Santiago Canyon College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,164, with out-of-state students paying around $9,612. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $5,500. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Santiago Canyon College generally make around $34,100. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #18 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,553 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,364 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,553 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Cuny Medgar Evers College ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,352, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Cuny Medgar Evers College earn a median of $27,203 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Golden West College earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Huntington Beach, Golden West College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,380, with out-of-state students paying around $11,628. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Golden West College generally make around $82,984. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Pasadena City College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $9,191. Physical Sciences graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Orange Coast College placed #22 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Costa Mesa, Orange Coast College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,392, compared with $11,640 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,978 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $46,306. Set against $8,978 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Grossmont College earned the #24 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of El Cajon, Grossmont College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,332, while out-of-state students pay about $10,628. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $40,309.
Cuny City College landed the #25 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Cuny City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,340 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,290. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $13,389. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny City College generally make around $48,908. That is a strong return on a $13,389 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s physical sciences value ranking:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 1522 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 260 ranked schools only.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong physical sciences education at a price that pays off.
