2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Indiana
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 38 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Indiana
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the physical sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Physical Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis, our #1 best value for physical sciences in Indiana. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public school located in the city of Indianapolis. Students from in state pay about $10,762 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,891. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,902. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis generally make around $42,482. That is a strong return on a $21,902 median debt. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis admits about 76% of applicants.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,081 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $23,081 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
A rank of #3 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,568 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $54,501 early in their careers. Set against $19,568 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,560. Physical Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $66,955 early in their careers. Set against $20,560 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
Ball State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Ball State University is a very large public school located in the city of Muncie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,082, with out-of-state students paying around $29,630. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Ball State University generally make around $42,420. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ball State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Indianapolis landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Indianapolis is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Indianapolis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $37,200. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,214. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Indianapolis earn a median of $40,612 early in their careers. Set against $23,214 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Indianapolis admits about 66% of applicants.
Valparaiso University placed #7 among the best values for physical sciences. Valparaiso University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Valparaiso. In-state tuition and fees average $48,450. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $37,526. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Notre Dame landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Notre Dame is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Notre Dame. Students from in state pay about $65,025 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Notre Dame generally make around $84,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
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 · 38 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
