2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

1

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in physical sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.

2

Utah Valley University
Orem, UT

A rank of #2 makes Utah Valley University one of the best values for physical sciences. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

3

Weber State University
Ogden, UT

A rank of #3 makes Weber State University one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $49,845. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.

4

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

A rank of #4 makes Southern Utah University one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Set against $12,886 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.

5

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wyoming one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,700. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $42,587 early in their careers. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

6

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,857 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $41,711 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,857 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

7

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University earned the #7 position for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,191. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.

8

Brigham Young University Provo
Provo, UT

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $68,664. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 68%.

9

Metropolitan State College Of Denver
Denver, CO

Metropolitan State College Of Denver came in at #9 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Denver, Metropolitan State College Of Denver is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,124, compared with $30,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,318 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Metropolitan State College Of Denver earn a median of $34,417 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Metropolitan State College Of Denver admits about 99% of applicants.

10

The University Of Montana
Missoula, MT

The University Of Montana placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. The University Of Montana is a large public school located in the city of Missoula. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,342. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

11

University Of Northern Colorado
Greeley, CO

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #11 for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,617. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $43,807. That is a strong return on a $26,617 median debt. University Of Northern Colorado admits about 86% of applicants.

12

Fort Lewis College
Durango, CO

Fort Lewis College came in at #12 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,417. Physical Sciences graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $34,159 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Lewis College admits about 77% of applicants.

13

University Of Colorado Denver
Denver, CO

University Of Colorado Denver landed the #13 spot for physical sciences value this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,365. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $66,022 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.

14

Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, CO

Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,205 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $57,310. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.

15

Boise State University
Boise, ID

Boise State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,048, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $26,150. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $37,790. That is a strong return on a $26,150 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

16

Montana State University
Bozeman, MT

Montana State University came in at #16 for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,460, while out-of-state students pay about $33,287. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Montana State University earn a median of $29,030 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

17

University Of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CO

University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $50,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.

18

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,521. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $79,523. That is a strong return on a $24,521 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.

19

Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado College came in at #19 for value in physical sciences this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. Students from in state pay about $70,734 in tuition and fees. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado College admits about 18% of applicants.