2026 Best Natural Sciences Schools
Looking for the best Natural Sciences programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 157 schools by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Natural Sciences Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Our analysis found Dominican University to be the best Natural Sciences school in the United States. Dominican University is a private not-for-profit school based in River Forest, IL. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $38,828. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $25,054. More on Dominican University
Out of the 157 schools in the United States in this year's ranking, American Public University System landed the #2 spot. American Public University System is a private for-profit school based in Charles Town, WV. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. See the full American Public University System profile
The strong Natural Sciences programs at College Of Saint Benedict earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. In-state tuition and fees run about $55,756. College Of Saint Benedict Natural Sciences students take on a median of $26,619 in debt. See the full College Of Saint Benedict profile
A rank of #4 makes Loyola Marymount University one of the top choices in the United States. Based in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 79% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,867. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More on Loyola Marymount University
You'll be in good company at Kansas State University, which ranked #5 this year. Kansas State University is a public school based in Manhattan, KS. Roughly 71% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Kansas State University Natural Sciences students take on a median of $20,500 in debt. Get the full Kansas State University report
University Of Puerto Rico Cayey placed #6 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Cayey, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Cayey is a public institution. University Of Puerto Rico Cayey graduates 50% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Graduates carry a median of $5,500 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Puerto Rico Cayey
California State University Chico ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. California State University Chico is a public school based in Chico, CA. California State University Chico posts a six-year graduation rate of 63%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $18,591 in student loans. Read the full report on California State University Chico
Boston College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $70,702. Boston College Natural Sciences students take on a median of $18,101 in debt. Read the full report on Boston College
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology graduates 34% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $24,400. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #10 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. Colorado State University Fort Collins posts a six-year graduation rate of 66%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $22,843. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans. More on Arizona State University
University Of Alaska Fairbanks did well this year, earning the #12 position. Located in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. University Of Alaska Fairbanks posts a six-year graduation rate of 39%. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $23,439. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Virginia Commonwealth University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. Based in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. About 63% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $16,720, with out-of-state students paying around $39,884. Graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. More on Virginia Commonwealth University
Arkansas State University Newport landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Set in Newport, AR, Arkansas State University Newport is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $3,312, while out-of-state students pay about $4,752. Arkansas State University Newport Natural Sciences students take on a median of $10,925 in debt. Get the full Arkansas State University Newport report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $25,234. Read more about University Of Massachusetts Amherst
Northeastern State University came in at #16 in this year's ranking. Based in Tahlequah, OK, Northeastern State University is a public institution. Northeastern State University graduates 35% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,290. Northeastern State University Natural Sciences students take on a median of $23,465 in debt. Read the full report on Northeastern State University
Johns Hopkins University placed #17 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University posts a six-year graduation rate of 94%. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
University Of Arizona ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $21,861. Get the full University Of Arizona report
University Of Wyoming landed the #19 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $20,283. See the full University Of Wyoming profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #20 spot in the United States this year. The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public school based in El Paso, TX. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, with out-of-state students paying around $25,502. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At El Paso
Temple University came in at #21 in this year's ranking. Located in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Temple University graduates 75% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $31,000. Read the full report on Temple University
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #22 spot in the United States this year. Located in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. About 49% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $21,783. Read more about University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Hofstra University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. Based in Hempstead, NY, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Students borrow a median of $24,848 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. See the full Hofstra University profile
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #24 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Springfield, MO. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $24,408. See the full Missouri State University Springfield profile
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs placed #25 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 47%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Read more about University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Rest of the Top 50 Best Natural Sciences Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Mount Saint Mary College came in at #26 in this year's ranking. Set in Newburgh, NY, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Mount Saint Mary College graduates 66% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $43,450. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $26,500. See the full Mount Saint Mary College profile
Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. Set in Shawnee, OK, Oklahoma Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 52% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $35,570. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $23,425. See the full Oklahoma Baptist University profile
Dallas Baptist University came in at #28 in this year's ranking. Based in Dallas, TX, Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $40,190 in tuition and fees. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $22,819. Get the full Dallas Baptist University report
New Mexico State University Carlsbad ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. See the full New Mexico State University Carlsbad profile
Loyola University New Orleans landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. Read more about Loyola University New Orleans
University Of Puerto Rico Carolina came in at #31 in this year's ranking. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Carolina profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #32 spot in the United States this year. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
California State University San Bernardino placed #33 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on California State University San Bernardino
Eckerd College
Eckerd College placed #34 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Eckerd College report
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras landed the #35 spot in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras report
Concordia College At Moorhead landed the #36 spot in the United States this year. More on Concordia College At Moorhead
Rochester Community And Technical College placed #37 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Rochester Community And Technical College
Judson University came in at #38 in this year's ranking. More on Judson University
Charleston Southern University placed #39 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Charleston Southern University
Bossier Parish Community College came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Get the full Bossier Parish Community College report
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian placed #41 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian
Glendale Community College Glendale Az did well this year, earning the #42 position. More on Glendale Community College Glendale Az
Saint Peters College placed #43 among Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Saint Peters College
University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. Read more about University Of Science And Arts Of Oklahoma
Rio Salado College landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. See the full Rio Salado College profile
Minerva Schools At Keck Graduate Institute ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Natural Sciences schools. Get the full Minerva Schools At Keck Graduate Institute report
Haskell Indian Nations University did well this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full Haskell Indian Nations University report
Ramapo College Of New Jersey did well this year, earning the #48 position. Read the full report on Ramapo College Of New Jersey
Bethel College North Newton did well this year, earning the #49 position. See the full Bethel College North Newton profile
Mesa Community College landed the #50 spot in the United States this year. Get the full Mesa Community College report
Best Natural Sciences Schools by Degree Level
Explore rankings for a specific degree level:
- Best Natural Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Natural Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Natural Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 157 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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