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2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools

Identifying Quality Schools at More Affordable Prices

230 Colleges
$16,576 Avg Tuition & Fees*
$39,880 Avg Salary

Finding the Best Physical Sciences School for You

Physical Sciences is the #19 most popular major in the country with 50,306 degrees and certificates awarded in 2020-2021.

With all the programs available today, it can be tough to choose which one is the best for you. With more and more schools offering online options, you could even register for a great program on the other side of the country. On top of that, there are a considerable number of trade schools that offer fast-track entry to many fields.

To help you arm yourself with the information you need to make your decision, Course Advisor has developed this Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. This report analyzed 230 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for physical sciences students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.

Our ranking of value is based on the quality of a program as defined in our per sticker price dollar. More specifically, we discount our quality score by the published tuition and fees charged by a school. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The value is determined by how much quality your dollar buys.

In our regional and nationwide rankings, out-of-state tution and fees are used in our calculations. Average in-state tuition and fees are used for our statewide rankings.

2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools in the United States

The colleges and universities below are the best value schools for physical sciences majors pursuing a .

Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Physical Sciences

$4,416 Average Tuition & Fees

Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Idaho the best value school in the United States for physical sciences students. Located in the distant town of Rexburg, BYU - I is a private not-for-profit college with a fairly large student population.

BYU - I undergraduate students pay an average of $4,416 in tuition and fees each year.

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A rank of #2 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Provo is a great value for physical sciences students. Located in the midsize city of Provo, BYU is a private not-for-profit school with a fairly large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU are $6,120 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, BYU also is in the top 20% of our Best Physical Sciences Schools ranking.

Full Physical Sciences at Brigham Young University - Provo Report

$8,367 Average Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Carolina University. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Physical Sciences Schools list. Located in the distant town of Cullowhee, WCU is a public school with a large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCU are $8,367 a year. The average amount in student loans that physical sciences majors at WCU take out is $21,451.

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$11,496 Average Tuition & Fees

The excellent programs at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville helped the school earn the #4 place on this year’s ranking of the best physical sciences schools in the United States. SIUE is a fairly large public school located in the suburb of Edwardsville.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SIUE are $11,496 per year. While working on their degree, physical sciences majors at SIUE accumulate an average of around $24,100 in student debt.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

The excellent programs at University of Wisconsin - River Falls helped the school earn the #5 place on this year’s ranking of the best physical sciences schools in the United States. Located in the town of River Falls, UW - River Falls is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - River Falls are $15,661 per year. The average amount in student loans that physical sciences majors at UW - River Falls take out is $27,000.

In addition to its great value ranking, UW - River Falls is in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Physical Sciences Schools list.

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#6

University of Wyoming

Laramie, WY
$16,957 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wyoming did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for physical sciences students. It came in at #6 on the list. UW is a fairly large public school located in the remote town of Laramie.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW are $16,957 per year. While working on their degree, physical sciences majors at UW accumulate an average of around $24,000 in student debt.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Wyoming

With a ranking of #7, Western Illinois University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for physical sciences students. Located in the remote town of Macomb, WIU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

WIU undergraduate students pay an average of $13,297 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that physical sciences majors at WIU take out is $25,687.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Western Illinois University

Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for physical sciences students. It came in at #8 on the list. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, SRU is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at SRU are $14,615 per year. The average amount in student loans that physical sciences majors at SRU take out is $27,000.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, SRU also did well on our Best Physical Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

Full Physical Sciences at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Report

$15,062 Average Tuition & Fees

Edinboro University of Pennsylvania came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. Located in the fringe town of Edinboro, Edinboro is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Edinboro are $15,062 a year. After completing their degree, physical sciences graduates from Edinboro carry an average student debtload of $25,000.

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$16,052 Average Tuition & Fees

Clarion University of Pennsylvania landed the #10 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value physical sciences programs. Located in the remote town of Clarion, Clarion University is a public college with a small student population.

Clarion University undergraduate students pay an average of $16,052 in tuition and fees each year.

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With a ranking of #11, University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well on this year’s best value schools for physical sciences students. Located in the small city of Eau Claire, UW - Eau Claire is a public college with a fairly large student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Eau Claire are $17,149 a year. While working on their degree, physical sciences majors at UW - Eau Claire accumulate an average of around $21,375 in student debt.

UW - Eau Claire excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Physical Sciences Schools list.

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#12

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, TN
$12,740 Average Tuition & Fees

East Tennessee State University did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for physical sciences students. It came in at #12 on the list. ETSU is a fairly large public school located in the small city of Johnson City.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ETSU are $12,740 a year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at East Tennessee State University

With a ranking of #13, Illinois State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for physical sciences students. Illinois State is a fairly large public school located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Illinois State are $24,172 a year.

On top of its placing in our value ranking, Illinois State also did well on our Best Physical Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools reviewed in this analysis.

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$25,746 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #14, Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well on this year’s best value schools for physical sciences students. Texas A&M Kingsville is a medium-sized public school located in the town of Kingsville.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Texas A&M Kingsville are $25,746 a year.

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$19,797 Average Tuition & Fees

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value physical sciences programs. Located in the city of East Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg University is a public school with a moderately-sized student population.

East Stroudsburg University undergraduate students pay an average of $19,797 in tuition and fees each year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania

$14,530 Average Tuition & Fees

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. Located in the town of Magnolia, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public college with a small student population.

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus undergraduate students pay an average of $14,530 in tuition and fees each year. On average, physical sciences graduates from Southern Arkansas University Main Campus take out $23,000 in student loans while working on their degree.

Full Physical Sciences at Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Report

#17

Lock Haven University

Lock Haven, PA
$20,702 Average Tuition & Fees

Lock Haven University landed the #17 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value physical sciences programs. LHU is a small public school located in the town of Lock Haven.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LHU are $20,702 per year.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at Lock Haven University

$20,220 Average Tuition & Fees

University of North Alabama ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Physical Sciences Schools list. Located in the small city of Florence, UNA is a public school with a medium-sized student population.

UNA undergraduate students pay an average of $20,220 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, physical sciences majors at UNA accumulate an average of around $22,500 in student debt.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of North Alabama

$16,498 Average Tuition & Fees

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State is a public school with a fairly large student population.

Missouri State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,498 in tuition and fees each year. Physical Sciences majors at Missouri State take out an average of $25,080 in student loans while working on their egree.

Full Physical Sciences at Missouri State University - Springfield Report

#20

University of Houston

Houston, TX
$21,891 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Houston came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. UH is a fairly large public school located in the large city of Houston.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UH are $21,891 a year. The average amount in student loans that physical sciences majors at UH take out is $23,010.

Full Physical Sciences at University of Houston Report

University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Stevens Point.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW - Stevens Point are $17,035 per year.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW - Stevens Point also is in the top 20% of our Best Physical Sciences Schools ranking.

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University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #22 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value physical sciences programs. UMN Morris is a small public school located in the town of Morris.

UMN Morris undergraduate students pay an average of $15,940 in tuition and fees each year. After completing their degree, physical sciences graduates from UMN Morris carry an average student debtload of $26,607.

In addition to its great value ranking, UMN Morris is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Physical Sciences Schools list.

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$15,726 Average Tuition & Fees

With a ranking of #23, California University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best value schools for physical sciences students. Located in the suburb of California, Cal U is a public college with a moderately-sized student population.

Cal U undergraduate students pay an average of $15,726 in tuition and fees each year.

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$11,880 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for physical sciences students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Akron, University of Akron Main Campus is a public college with a large student population.

Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,880 per year. After completing their degree, physical sciences graduates from University of Akron Main Campus carry an average student debtload of $23,675.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

$15,714 Average Tuition & Fees

University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for physical sciences students. It came in at #24 on the list. Located in the suburb of Kenosha, UW - Parkside is a public college with a small student population.

The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Parkside are $15,714 a year. While working on their degree, physical sciences majors at UW - Parkside accumulate an average of around $26,700 in student debt.

Read full report on Physical Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Parkside

Rest of the Top Best Value Physical Sciences Schools

#27

University of West Georgia

Carrollton, GA
#28

University of Delaware

Newark, DE
#29

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA
#34

Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ

Additional Noteworthy Schools

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Physical Sciences Schools award.

Rank College Location
35 Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL
35 Iowa State University Ames, IA
37 Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI
38 California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CA
38 Ohio University - Athens Campus Athens, OH
40 Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, IL
41 Texas Tech University Lubbock, TX
42 Stockton University Galloway, NJ
42 Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PA
44 Georgia Southern University Statesboro, GA
45 Wichita State University Wichita, KS
46 University of North Texas Denton, TX

Physical Sciences by Region

View the Best Value Physical Sciences Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

Physical Sciences Majors to Study

Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 21,239
Physics 13,674
Geological & Earth Sciences 7,821
General Physical Sciences 3,823
Astronomy & Astrophysics 1,375
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 1,140
Materials Sciences 658
Other Physical Science 538
Physics and Astronomy 38

Related Major Annual Graduates
Computer & Information Sciences 254,454
Engineering 198,468
Biological & Biomedical Sciences 177,778
Engineering Technologies 85,188
Mathematics & Statistics 52,396

Notes and References

*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
  • Credit for the banner image above goes to NASA.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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