2026 Best Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value General Physical Sciences bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 209 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed 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 General Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Our analysis found California State University Stanislaus to be the best-value General Physical Sciences school in the United States. Located in Turlock, CA, California State University Stanislaus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,242, while out-of-state students pay about $20,842. California State University Stanislaus General Physical Sciences students take on a median of $14,813 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,188 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Stanislaus has an acceptance rate of 98%. Read more about California State University Stanislaus
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Humboldt State University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Based in Arcata, CA, Humboldt State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. The median General Physical Sciences program debt is $19,129. Median earnings reach $47,626 ten years out. Set against $19,129 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 98% of those who apply are admitted. More on Humboldt State University
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Rochester Institute Of Technology earned it the #3 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rochester, NY. In-state tuition and fees average $59,210. Rochester Institute Of Technology General Physical Sciences students take on a median of $27,491 in debt. Median earnings reach $76,571 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 67% of applicants are accepted. More on Rochester Institute Of Technology
Out of the 209 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #5 spot. This public school is set in Pittsburgh, PA. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. The median General Physical Sciences program debt is $24,958. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,125. Set against $24,958 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus has an acceptance rate of 58%. See the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus profile
Michigan State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical General Physical Sciences student debt is $25,213. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 85% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Michigan State University report
Washington State University placed #7 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Pullman, WA. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Washington State University General Physical Sciences students take on a median of $21,903 in debt. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants. Read the full report on Washington State University
University Of California Santa Cruz offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Typical General Physical Sciences student debt is $18,559. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,396. That is a strong return on a $18,559 median debt. University Of California Santa Cruz has an acceptance rate of 66%. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
Western Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $43,889. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 94%. Get the full Western Kentucky University report
Arizona State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Based in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical General Physical Sciences student debt is $22,250. Median earnings reach $62,668 ten years out. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants. See the full Arizona State University profile
Emory University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Located in Atlanta, GA, Emory University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $64,280. Emory University General Physical Sciences students take on a median of $19,431 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $80,137. Set against $19,431 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Emory University has an acceptance rate of 11%. More on Emory University
College Of The Sequoias offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. See the full College Of The Sequoias profile
Dodge City Community College landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Dodge City Community College report
University Of California Berkeley came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of California Berkeley
Naval Postgraduate School landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Naval Postgraduate School
Dakota State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Read the full report on Dakota State University
Georgia Southern University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. More on Georgia Southern University
Oklahoma Wesleyan University offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. See the full Oklahoma Wesleyan University profile
San Antonio College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Get the full San Antonio College report
Tohono Oodham Community College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Tohono Oodham Community College
Carroll Community College placed #20 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Carroll Community College
Middlesex Community College Bedford placed #21 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Middlesex Community College Bedford
American River College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. More on American River College
Chadron State College offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. More on Chadron State College
Seattle Community College South Campus came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Seattle Community College South Campus report
Coe College
Coe College ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. See the full Coe College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford offered strong value this year, earning the #26 position. Read the full report on University Of Pittsburgh Bradford
Oklahoma City University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Read more about Oklahoma City University
Phoenix College
Phoenix College offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read more about Phoenix College
Stella And Charles Guttman Community College came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Stella And Charles Guttman Community College
Wheeling Jesuit University came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Wheeling Jesuit University
Clovis Community College Fresno ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Get the full Clovis Community College Fresno report
Shoreline Community College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Shoreline Community College
Mississippi Delta Community College ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. See the full Mississippi Delta Community College profile
Miracosta College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Miracosta College
Mission College
Mission College placed #35 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. More on Mission College
Bethany College West Virginia placed #36 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Bethany College West Virginia report
Clark College
Clark College ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. More on Clark College
Hardin Simmons University landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Hardin Simmons University report
Reedley College
Reedley College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Read the full report on Reedley College
Thomas More College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Thomas More College
Regent University ranked #41 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Read the full report on Regent University
Lehigh Carbon Community College came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Lehigh Carbon Community College
Biola University
Biola University came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. More on Biola University
Cuny Medgar Evers College placed #44 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Cuny Medgar Evers College report
Cascadia Community College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Cascadia Community College profile
Wesleyan University came in at #46 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Wesleyan University report
Mendocino College placed #47 among the best-value General Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Mendocino College report
Yakima Valley Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. See the full Yakima Valley Community College profile
College Of San Mateo ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value General Physical Sciences schools. Get the full College Of San Mateo report
Wright State University Lake Campus landed the #50 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Wright State University Lake Campus
Related General Physical Sciences Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value General Physical Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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 209 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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