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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in North Carolina

10 Colleges in the United States
$21,227 Avg Student Debt
$60,504 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Badge [Physical Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. 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 41 schools to find the best return on investment for physical sciences students.

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2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in North Carolina

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

Best Value Physical Sciences Schools

1

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #1 spot for value among physical sciences schools in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public school located in the city of Greensboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Physical Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,977 in student loans. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $42,595. That is a strong return on a $24,977 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

2

Students looking for strong value in physical sciences will find it at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $16,279 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $53,734. That is a strong return on a $16,279 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.

3

North Carolina A And T State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. 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. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $29,078. Physical Sciences graduates of North Carolina A And T State University earn a median of $50,715 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,078 median debt. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of North Carolina At Pembroke is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #4 spot 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, compared with $7,648 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,766 to complete the physical sciences program here. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $35,579. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Pembroke admits about 93% of applicants.

5

University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a great value for students pursuing a degree in physical sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Asheville is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Asheville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,501, with out-of-state students paying around $24,849. Students borrow a median of $12,825 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Asheville earn a median of $36,891 early in their careers. Set against $12,825 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Asheville admits about 92% of applicants.

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Western Carolina University came in at #6 for value in physical sciences this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $20,824. Physical Sciences graduates of Western Carolina University earn a median of $26,513 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,824 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.

7

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #7 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,664 to complete the physical sciences program here. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $48,320. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.

8

North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #8 spot for physical sciences value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $21,669 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $63,861 early in their careers. Set against $21,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.

9

East Carolina University placed #9 among the best values for physical sciences. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,361, while out-of-state students pay about $23,638. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,096. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $47,312. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

10

Appalachian State University placed #10 among the best values for physical sciences. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $23,587. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $51,371. Set against $23,587 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

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Davidson College crest
Davidson College
Davidson, NC

Davidson College landed the #11 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Davidson, Davidson College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,430 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $19,906. Soon after graduation, physical sciences degree recipients from Davidson College generally make around $41,505. Set against $19,906 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 13% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned the #12 position for value in physical sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students from in state pay about $7,277 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,152 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $21,801. Early-career physical sciences graduates make about $49,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.

13
Wake Forest University crest
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC

Wake Forest University placed #13 among the best values for physical sciences. Set in the city of Winston-Salem, Wake Forest University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $67,642. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the physical sciences program here. Physical Sciences graduates of Wake Forest University earn a median of $67,369 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 22%.

14
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University landed the #14 spot for physical sciences value this year. Located in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,758. Typical student debt for physical sciences graduates is $8,457. Physical Sciences graduates of Duke University earn a median of $29,748 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,457 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 41 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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