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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Arkansas

3 Colleges in the United States
$23,494 Avg Student Debt
$45,775 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Badge [Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. 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 18 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.

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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in Arkansas

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools

1

Leading the list is University Of Arkansas Fort Smith, our #1 best value for physical sciences in Arkansas. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,333. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Arkansas Fort Smith generally make around $22,255. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

2
Arkansas Tech University crest
Arkansas Tech University
Russellville, AR

Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at Arkansas Tech University, which ranked #2. Arkansas Tech University is a large public school located in the town of Russellville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,674, compared with $14,668 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,257. Physical Sciences graduates of Arkansas Tech University earn a median of $45,115 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,960, with out-of-state students paying around $15,690. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,625 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $58,870. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Arkansas At Little Rock is a large public school located in the city of Little Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,911, compared with $22,721 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,093 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $47,170. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 59%.

5

Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of Central Arkansas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Conway, University Of Central Arkansas is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,523, with out-of-state students paying around $18,023. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,125. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of Central Arkansas generally make around $36,946. Set against $21,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Central Arkansas admits about 90% of applicants.

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University Of Arkansas crest
University Of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR

University Of Arkansas landed the #6 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Fayetteville, University Of Arkansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,966. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,529 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $34,432. Set against $25,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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