by our College Data Analytics Team
[Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Dalton State College earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in Georgia. Located in the city of Dalton, Dalton State College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,336, while out-of-state students pay about $10,656. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,955 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $41,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for physical sciences. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $18,318. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Valdosta State University earned it the #3 place for physical sciences. Set in the city of Valdosta, Valdosta State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,124, while out-of-state students pay about $17,836. Students borrow a median of $28,661 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Valdosta State University generally make around $44,914. Set against $28,661 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Valdosta State University admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for physical sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,831. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $83,560. Set against $21,831 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Gwinnett College earned it the #5 place for physical sciences. Georgia Gwinnett College is a large public school located in the suburb of Lawrenceville. Students from in state pay about $4,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,844. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,280 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $55,992. That is a strong return on a $21,280 median debt. Georgia Gwinnett College admits about 96% of applicants.
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Columbus State University earned the #6 position for value in physical sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,610. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,493 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Augusta University landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Augusta, Augusta University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,414, with out-of-state students paying around $24,734. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,031 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $48,382. Set against $23,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Georgia placed #8 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $19,493 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $47,870 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of West Georgia placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, while out-of-state students pay about $17,800. Students borrow a median of $25,964 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $33,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #10 for value in physical sciences this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,987 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $39,084. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Georgia Southern University landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the town of Statesboro, Georgia Southern University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,500 in student loans. Physical Sciences graduates of Georgia Southern University earn a median of $34,977 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,500 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Students borrow a median of $23,511 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $38,790 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,511 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
Mercer University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Located in the city of Macon, Mercer University is a large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $31,565. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Mercer University earn a median of $25,151 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Emory University earned the #14 position for value in physical sciences this year. Emory University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $64,280 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $20,000 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $32,130. Set against $20,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University admits about 11% of applicants.
Agnes Scott College landed the #15 spot for physical sciences value this year. Agnes Scott College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Decatur. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $50,604. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,811 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Agnes Scott College generally make around $28,191. That is a strong return on a $26,811 median debt. Agnes Scott College admits about 62% of applicants.
This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.