2026 Best Value Natural Sciences Schools
Looking for the best-value Natural Sciences programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 157 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Natural Sciences Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Puerto Rico Cayey to be the best-value Natural Sciences school in the United States. Set in Cayey, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Cayey is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,324. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $5,500. Median earnings reach $30,958 ten years out. Set against $5,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Puerto Rico Cayey admits about 53% of applicants. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Cayey report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Arkansas State University Newport earned it the #2 place in the United States. This public school is set in Newport, AR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,312, with out-of-state students paying around $4,752. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $10,925. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,524. That is a strong return on a $10,925 median debt. Get the full Arkansas State University Newport report
A rank of #3 makes American Public University System one of the best values in the United States. American Public University System is a private for-profit school based in Charles Town, WV. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,400. Graduates carry a median of $23,438 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $44,409. That is a strong return on a $23,438 median debt. Read more about American Public University System
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northeastern State University earned it the #4 place in the United States. Northeastern State University is a public school based in Tahlequah, OK. Students from in state pay about $7,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,290. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $23,465. Northeastern State University alumni report median earnings of $45,379 a decade after entry. Set against $23,465 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 100% of those who apply are admitted. More on Northeastern State University
California State University Chico came in at #5 on this year's best-value Natural Sciences ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Chico, CA. In-state tuition and fees average $8,472, with out-of-state students paying around $21,072. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $18,591. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $64,172. Set against $18,591 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 93% of those who apply are admitted. More on California State University Chico
Kansas State University offered strong value this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Median earnings reach $57,262 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Kansas State University has an acceptance rate of 82%. See the full Kansas State University profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in El Paso, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,819 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $50,923 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants. More on The University Of Texas At El Paso
Missouri State University Springfield offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Missouri State University Springfield Natural Sciences students take on a median of $24,408 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $49,827. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants. Read the full report on Missouri State University Springfield
Dominican University came in at #9 in this year's value ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $25,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,327. That is a strong return on a $25,054 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on Dominican University
University Of Wyoming placed #10 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $56,880. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 97% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Wyoming profile
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #11 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Harrisburg, PA, Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $24,400. Graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Median earnings reach $52,374 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology admits about 87% of applicants. More on Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology
Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. This public school is set in Tempe, AZ. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $21,842. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Arizona State University
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $23,439. Median earnings reach $48,866 ten years out. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. See the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks profile
University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public school based in Omaha, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $21,783. University Of Nebraska At Omaha alumni report median earnings of $53,909 a decade after entry. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $60,543 ten years out. Set against $22,843 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
Virginia Commonwealth University placed #16 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Richmond, VA, Virginia Commonwealth University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, compared with $39,884 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,813 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $58,128 ten years after entry. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Commonwealth University admits about 93% of applicants. Read the full report on Virginia Commonwealth University
College Of Saint Benedict placed #17 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Saint Joseph, MN, College Of Saint Benedict is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $55,756. Students borrow a median of $26,619 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,260 ten years after entry. Set against $26,619 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about College Of Saint Benedict
Loyola Marymount University came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $61,867. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $26,000. Loyola Marymount University alumni report median earnings of $78,349 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted. More on Loyola Marymount University
University Of Arizona came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Set in Tucson, AZ, University Of Arizona is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $21,861. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $59,979. That is a strong return on a $21,861 median debt. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. Get the full University Of Arizona report
Temple University placed #20 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Temple University is a public school based in Philadelphia, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $31,000 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Temple University alumni report median earnings of $63,727 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Temple University profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public school based in Amherst, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $25,234. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $71,631. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Graduates carry a median of $23,559 in student loans. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs alumni report median earnings of $54,659 a decade after entry. Set against $23,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs has an acceptance rate of 97%. Read more about University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs
Boston College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Chestnut Hill, MA, Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,702. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $18,101. Graduates go on to earn a median of $103,937 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Boston College admits about 16% of applicants. Read more about Boston College
Oklahoma Baptist University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Oklahoma Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Shawnee, OK. Students from in state pay about $35,570 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,425 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $48,434 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,425 median debt. Oklahoma Baptist University has an acceptance rate of 49%. Read the full report on Oklahoma Baptist University
Mount Saint Mary College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Located in Newburgh, NY, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $43,450. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Mount Saint Mary College alumni report median earnings of $67,705 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. More on Mount Saint Mary College
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Natural Sciences Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Johns Hopkins University offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $87,555 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. Johns Hopkins University has an acceptance rate of 6%. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Dallas Baptist University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $40,190. Graduates carry a median of $22,819 in student loans. Dallas Baptist University alumni report median earnings of $56,807 a decade after entry. Set against $22,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted. See the full Dallas Baptist University profile
Hofstra University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit school based in Hempstead, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $57,660. Hofstra University Natural Sciences students take on a median of $24,848 in debt. Median earnings reach $69,039 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants. Read the full report on Hofstra University
Bucks County Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Bucks County Community College report
California State University Los Angeles offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. Read the full report on California State University Los Angeles
Estrella Mountain Community College landed the #31 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Estrella Mountain Community College profile
Logan University
Logan University placed #32 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on Logan University
Scottsdale Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Get the full Scottsdale Community College report
Redlands Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #34 position. Read more about Redlands Community College
Alverno College
Alverno College placed #35 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Alverno College profile
The University Of Texas At Brownsville placed #36 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on The University Of Texas At Brownsville
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. More on Ohio State University Main Campus
Vermont Technical College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. See the full Vermont Technical College profile
Colgate University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Colgate University report
University Of Puerto Rico Utuado offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. Read the full report on University Of Puerto Rico Utuado
East Georgia State College placed #41 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. See the full East Georgia State College profile
Juniata College
Juniata College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. See the full Juniata College profile
Case Western Reserve University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Case Western Reserve University report
Lee College
Lee College landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Lee College report
North Central College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about North Central College
Piedmont College
Piedmont College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. More on Piedmont College
Santa Clara University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Santa Clara University
La Salle University placed #48 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on La Salle University
Oglala Lakota College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. More on Oglala Lakota College
Spalding University placed #50 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Spalding University
Best Value Natural Sciences Schools by Degree Level
See the best values at each degree level:
- Best Value Natural Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · 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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