2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

1

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

For return on investment in physical sciences, no school beat University Of Florida 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, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,539. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $53,651 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,539 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.

2

The University Of West Florida
Pensacola, FL

A rank of #2 makes The University Of West Florida one of the best values for physical sciences. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

3

University Of Central Florida
Orlando, FL

A rank of #3 makes University Of Central Florida one of the best values for physical sciences. University Of Central Florida is a very large public school located in the suburb of Orlando. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,368, with out-of-state students paying around $22,467. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,063 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,586. Set against $19,063 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Florida admits about 40% of applicants.

4

Murray State University
Murray, KY

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,334. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.

5

Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY

Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Northern Kentucky University, which ranked #5. Northern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the suburb of Highland Heights. Students from in state pay about $11,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,912. Students borrow a median of $25,572 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Northern Kentucky University generally make around $52,565. Set against $25,572 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

6

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $15,750. 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.

7

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. 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 $35,552 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.

8

Dalton State College
Dalton, GA

Dalton State College landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Dalton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,955 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Dalton State College generally make around $41,654. Set against $14,955 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

9

Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University earned the #9 position for value in physical sciences this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $11,953 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $32,143. Set against $11,953 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online landed the #10 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $24,757. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $40,691. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

11

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

12

University Of North Georgia
Dahlonega, GA

University Of North Georgia placed #12 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

13

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $22,553. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $61,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

14

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro
Greensboro, NC

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro placed #14 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Students borrow a median of $24,977 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.

15

Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond, KY

Eastern Kentucky University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,584. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,512. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

16

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,831. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $21,831 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

17

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $16,279. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,734. Set against $16,279 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

18

University Of North Florida
Jacksonville, FL

University Of North Florida earned the #18 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Jacksonville, University Of North Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,964, compared with $19,407 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,162. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $31,663. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Florida admits about 53% of applicants.

19

Tennessee State University
Nashville, TN

Tennessee State University placed #19 among the best values for physical sciences. Tennessee State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $22,416. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,489 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $45,060. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 70%.

20

North Carolina A And T State University
Greensboro, NC

North Carolina A And T State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina A And T State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,813, while out-of-state students pay about $20,673. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,078 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from North Carolina A And T State University generally make around $50,715. Set against $29,078 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.

21

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke
Pembroke, NC

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke earned the #21 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the town of Pembroke, University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,648, with out-of-state students paying around $7,648. Students borrow a median of $25,766 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Pembroke generally make around $35,579. That is a strong return on a $25,766 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.

22

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College
Perkinston, MS

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College is a large public school located in the rural area of Perkinston. In-state tuition and fees average $4,250, while out-of-state students pay about $7,850. Students borrow a median of $11,653 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,214. Set against $11,653 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23

Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary
South Prince George, VA

Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary earned the #23 position for value in physical sciences this year. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of South Prince George. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,090, compared with $14,970 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $12,000. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $20,219. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.

24

Valdosta State University
Valdosta, GA

Valdosta State University came in at #24 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,124, with out-of-state students paying around $17,836. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $28,661. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.

25

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR

University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earned the #25 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Fort Smith. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $22,255. Set against $20,333 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.