2026 Best Value Physical Science Technicians Schools in the Southwest Region
[Physical Science Technicians](/majors/science-technologies-technicians/physical-science-technicians/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 19 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value physical science technicians schools.
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2026 Best Value Physical Science Technicians Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in physical science technicians, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Physical Science Technicians Schools
Leading the list is College Of The Mainland, our #1 best value for physical science technicians in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Texas City, College Of The Mainland is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,310 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,140 for out-of-state students. Physical Science Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science technicians degree recipients from College Of The Mainland generally make around $49,694. That is a strong return on a $10,500 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical science technicians will find it at Brazosport College, which ranked #2. Set in the suburb of Lake Jackson, Brazosport College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,388, compared with $4,711 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $6,625 to complete the physical science technicians program here. Early-career physical science technicians graduates make about $32,746. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Alvin Community College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science technicians schools. Located in the suburb of Alvin, Alvin Community College is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $1,906 in tuition and fees, compared with $4,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science technicians graduates is $7,801. Soon after graduation, physical science technicians degree recipients from Alvin Community College generally make around $53,440. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar State College Orange came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science technicians schools. Set in the town of Orange, Lamar State College Orange is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,832 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $13,824. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete the physical science technicians program here. Early-career physical science technicians graduates make about $49,932. That is a strong return on a $12,000 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in physical science technicians will find it at Del Mar College, which ranked #5. Del Mar College is a large public school located in the city of Corpus Christi. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,500, with out-of-state students paying around $6,050. Physical Science Technicians graduates carry a median of $7,000 in student loans. Physical Science Technicians graduates of Del Mar College earn a median of $56,948 early in their careers. Set against $7,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Victoria College placed #6 among the best values for physical science technicians. Set in the city of Victoria, Victoria College is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,976, with out-of-state students paying around $5,328. Physical Science Technicians graduates carry a median of $10,910 in student loans. Physical Science Technicians graduates of Victoria College earn a median of $50,201 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,910 median debt.
Lamar State College Port Arthur ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science technicians schools. Located in the city of Port Arthur, Lamar State College Port Arthur is a mid-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,770, while out-of-state students pay about $8,070. Typical student debt for physical science technicians graduates is $33,385. Soon after graduation, physical science technicians degree recipients from Lamar State College Port Arthur generally make around $78,580. That is a strong return on a $33,385 median debt.
Wharton County Junior College landed the #8 spot for physical science technicians value this year. Located in the town of Wharton, Wharton County Junior College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,192, compared with $5,904 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for physical science technicians graduates is $16,625. Soon after graduation, physical science technicians degree recipients from Wharton County Junior College generally make around $45,277. Set against $16,625 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Kilgore College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science technicians schools. Located in the town of Kilgore, Kilgore College is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,160, while out-of-state students pay about $5,256. Typical student debt for physical science technicians graduates is $17,208. Physical Science Technicians graduates of Kilgore College earn a median of $68,335 early in their careers. Set against $17,208 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lee College placed #10 among the best values for physical science technicians. Located in the city of Baytown, Lee College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,520, with out-of-state students paying around $5,045. Students borrow a median of $9,598 to complete the physical science technicians program here. Early-career physical science technicians graduates make about $94,986. Set against $9,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Houston Community College came in at #11 for value in physical science technicians this year. Set in the city of Houston, Houston Community College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,040 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $5,460. Physical Science Technicians graduates carry a median of $21,740 in student loans. Early-career physical science technicians graduates make about $60,612. Set against $21,740 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Jacinto Community College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science technicians schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, San Jacinto Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,490, compared with $6,690 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,000 to complete the physical science technicians program here. Early-career physical science technicians graduates make about $59,496. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lamar Institute Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value physical science technicians schools. Located in the city of Beaumont, Lamar Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,844, with out-of-state students paying around $12,924. Typical student debt for physical science technicians graduates is $15,500. Early-career physical science technicians graduates make about $42,539. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System earned the #14 position for value in physical science technicians this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, with out-of-state students paying around $7,512. Typical student debt for physical science technicians graduates is $10,425. Physical Science Technicians graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $53,976 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Texas State Technical College earned the #15 position for value in physical science technicians this year. Texas State Technical College is a large public school located in the city of Waco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,212, while out-of-state students pay about $11,812. Physical Science Technicians graduates carry a median of $11,959 in student loans. Soon after graduation, physical science technicians degree recipients from Texas State Technical College generally make around $42,769. Set against $11,959 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 19 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
