2026 Best Value Natural Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Natural Sciences bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 157 institutions 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 help you make your decision, Course Advisor reviewed schools to compile 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the best-value schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Puerto Rico Cayey to be the best-value Natural Sciences school in the United States. Based in Cayey, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Cayey is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,324. University Of Puerto Rico Cayey Natural Sciences students take on a median of $5,500 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $30,958. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 53%. Read the full report on University Of Puerto Rico Cayey
Out of the 157 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, American Public University System landed the #2 spot. Located in Charles Town, WV, American Public University System is a private for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,400. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $23,438. Ten years after enrolling, 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
A rank of #3 makes California State University Chico one of the best values in the United States. California State University Chico is a public school based in Chico, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,472, while out-of-state students pay about $21,072. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $18,591. Median earnings reach $64,172 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,591 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted. Get the full California State University Chico report
A rank of #4 makes Kansas State University one of the best values in the United States. Based in Manhattan, KS, Kansas State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $20,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $57,262. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted. More on Kansas State University
Dominican University came in at #5 on this year's best-value Natural Sciences ranking in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in River Forest, IL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $38,828. Students borrow a median of $25,054 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Dominican University alumni report median earnings of $60,327 a decade after entry. Set against $25,054 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%. More on Dominican University
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Harrisburg, PA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $24,400. The median Natural Sciences program debt is $27,000. Median earnings reach $52,374 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology has an acceptance rate of 87%. Read the full report on Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology
University Of Nebraska At Omaha came in at #7 in this year's value ranking. Based in Omaha, NE, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $21,783. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,909. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%. Read the full report on University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #8 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, 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. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
College Of Saint Benedict ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Saint Joseph, MN. Students from in state pay about $55,756 in tuition and fees. College Of Saint Benedict Natural Sciences students take on a median of $26,619 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $63,260. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. College Of Saint Benedict admits about 92% of applicants. See the full College Of Saint Benedict profile
Loyola Marymount University offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Located in Los Angeles, CA, Loyola Marymount University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,867. Loyola Marymount University Natural Sciences students take on a median of $26,000 in debt. Loyola Marymount University alumni report median earnings of $78,349 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Loyola Marymount University admits about 45% of applicants. Get the full Loyola Marymount University report
Temple University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Temple University Natural Sciences students take on a median of $31,000 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,727 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $31,000 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Temple University report
Boston College ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chestnut Hill, MA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,702. Boston College Natural Sciences students take on a median of $18,101 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $103,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 16% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on Boston College
Oklahoma Baptist University landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Shawnee, OK. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $35,570. Oklahoma Baptist University Natural Sciences students take on a median of $23,425 in debt. 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 admits about 49% of applicants. See the full Oklahoma Baptist University profile
Mount Saint Mary College offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. Based in Newburgh, NY, Mount Saint Mary College is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $43,450. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete their Natural Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,705. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mount Saint Mary College admits about 89% of applicants. Read the full report on Mount Saint Mary College
Johns Hopkins University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Set in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $13,426. Johns Hopkins University alumni report median earnings of $87,555 a decade after entry. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%. See the full Johns Hopkins University profile
Hofstra University came in at #16 in this year's value ranking. Based in Hempstead, NY, Hofstra University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $57,660. Typical Natural Sciences student debt is $24,848. Graduates go on to earn a median of $69,039 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,848 median debt. Hofstra University admits about 68% of applicants. More on Hofstra University
Dallas Baptist University offered strong value this year, earning the #16 position. Dallas Baptist University is a private not-for-profit school based in Dallas, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $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. That is a strong return on a $22,819 median debt. Dallas Baptist University admits about 89% of applicants. Get the full Dallas Baptist University report
Hiram College
Hiram College landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Hiram College profile
Saint Vincent College came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. See the full Saint Vincent College profile
San Jacinto Community College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full San Jacinto Community College profile
Saint Thomas Aquinas College offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Read more about Saint Thomas Aquinas College
Duke University
Duke University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Duke University
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #23 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Sebastian profile
Morgan State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Read the full report on Morgan State University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Natural Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
New Mexico State University Carlsbad landed the #26 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on New Mexico State University Carlsbad
Bard College At Simons Rock ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Read the full report on Bard College At Simons Rock
Community College Of Beaver County came in at #28 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Community College Of Beaver County report
Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. See the full Inter American University Of Puerto Rico Aguadilla profile
University At Buffalo offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. More on University At Buffalo
Edgewood College
Edgewood College came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. See the full Edgewood College profile
Phoenix College
Phoenix College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Read more about Phoenix College
Virginia Commonwealth University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Virginia Commonwealth University profile
Augustana College South Dakota placed #34 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on Augustana College South Dakota
University Of Arizona offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Read more about University Of Arizona
Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Read the full report on Fairleigh Dickinson University College At Florham
Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Edp College Of Puerto Rico Inc San Juan
Rio Salado College landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Rio Salado College
Bayamon Central University offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read more about Bayamon Central University
Western Wyoming Community College came in at #40 in this year's value ranking. See the full Western Wyoming Community College profile
Loyola University New Orleans came in at #41 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Loyola University New Orleans report
Northwest State Community College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Northwest State Community College
University Of Hawaii Maui College offered strong value this year, earning the #43 position. More on University Of Hawaii Maui College
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Natural Sciences schools. Get the full University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs report
Felician College
Felician College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Felician College profile
Lee College
Lee College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Get the full Lee College report
Washburn University came in at #47 in this year's value ranking. More on Washburn University
Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas came in at #48 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Cossatot Community College Of The University Of Arkansas
Estrella Mountain Community College placed #49 among the best-value Natural Sciences schools in the United States. More on Estrella Mountain Community College
Ohio State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. Get the full Ohio State University Main Campus report
Related Natural Sciences Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Natural Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Natural Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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).