2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in physical sciences in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,583 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $40,293 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,583 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $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 $52,321. Set against $16,539 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

4

California State University Fresno
Fresno, CA

A rank of #4 makes California State University Fresno one of the best values for physical sciences. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, with out-of-state students paying around $19,941. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $37,245. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.

5

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ

Princeton University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Princeton, Princeton University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,688. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,888. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Princeton University generally make around $67,532. That is a strong return on a $10,888 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

6

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $18,774. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $45,522 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

7

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,750 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $28,660. That is a strong return on a $15,750 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

8

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

9

The University Of Texas Pan American
Edinburg, TX

The University Of Texas Pan American landed the #9 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Edinburg, The University Of Texas Pan American is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,799 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,645 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Pan American earn a median of $22,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $19,860 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $42,687 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

11

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento came in at #11 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,826. Physical Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $42,581 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

12

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

University Of Central Florida earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orlando, University Of Central Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,368, compared with $22,467 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,063. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,322. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.

13

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #13 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,553 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $68,799. Set against $22,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.

14

Rice University
Houston, TX

Rice University earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, Rice University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $61,247 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,904 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Rice University generally make around $75,299. That is a strong return on a $11,904 median debt. Roughly 8% of applicants are accepted.

15

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $16,279 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $54,260 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,279 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,482 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. That is a strong return on a $22,482 median debt. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.

17

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #17 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,595. Set against $24,977 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

18

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #18 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,194 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,162. That is a strong return on a $14,194 median debt. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

19

San Jose State University
San Jose, CA

San Jose State University placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,410, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #20 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,387 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $70,532. Set against $16,387 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

21

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #21 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,831. Physical Sciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

22

San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA

San Francisco State University placed #22 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $17,024 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $44,140. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #23 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $17,108. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $50,287. Set against $17,108 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned the #24 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

25

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.