2026 Best Value Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Physical Sciences associate’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 1522 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated 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 Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Middlesex County College earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. Set in Edison, NJ, Middlesex County College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $7,250. Middlesex County College alumni report median earnings of $46,861 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Middlesex County College profile
Out of the 1522 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of New Mexico Taos Campus landed the #2 spot. University Of New Mexico Taos Campus is a public school based in Ranchos de Taos, NM. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,136, with out-of-state students paying around $5,136. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $10,986. Median earnings reach $44,792 ten years out. Set against $10,986 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Read the full report on University Of New Mexico Taos Campus
University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Physical Sciences ranking in the United States. Set in Los Lunas, NM, University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,878, with out-of-state students paying around $5,130. Graduates carry a median of $10,986 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $44,792. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read more about University Of New Mexico Valencia County Campus
Cuny Laguardia Community College came in at #4 on this year's best-value Physical Sciences ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Long Island City, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Graduates carry a median of $7,500 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $41,653. Set against $7,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Cuny Laguardia Community College report
Out of the 1522 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus landed the #5 spot. Set in Gallup, NM, University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,906, while out-of-state students pay about $5,682. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $10,986. Graduates go on to earn a median of $44,792 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. More on University Of New Mexico Gallup Campus
Jackson Community College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Set in Jackson, MI, Jackson Community College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,350 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,200. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $16,960. Median earnings reach $36,898 ten years out. Set against $16,960 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Get the full Jackson Community College report
University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus placed #7 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Los Alamos, NM. In-state tuition and fees run about $2,214, while out-of-state students pay about $5,578. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $10,711. University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus alumni report median earnings of $44,792 a decade after entry. Set against $10,711 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. More on University Of New Mexico Los Alamos Campus
Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary landed the #8 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in South Prince George, VA, Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,090 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,970. Students borrow a median of $12,000 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary alumni report median earnings of $41,452 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary admits about 89% of applicants. See the full Richard Bland College Of The College Of William And Mary profile
Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Set in New York, NY, Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,170, with out-of-state students paying around $8,050. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $9,000. Median earnings reach $42,306 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $9,000 median debt. See the full Cuny Borough Of Manhattan Community College profile
Cuny Medgar Evers College came in at #10 in this year's value ranking. Based in Brooklyn, NY, Cuny Medgar Evers College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,352 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,302 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,875 to complete their Physical Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $46,498 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $8,875 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Cuny Medgar Evers College
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in Magnolia, AR, Southern Arkansas University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,960 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,690 for out-of-state students. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $23,625. Southern Arkansas University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $42,386 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Southern Arkansas University Main Campus report
Cuny New York City College Of Technology landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Brooklyn, NY. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical Physical Sciences student debt is $8,750. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,365 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny New York City College Of Technology admits about 80% of applicants. Read more about Cuny New York City College Of Technology
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #13 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Rochester Institute Of Technology is a private not-for-profit school based in Rochester, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,210. The median Physical Sciences program debt is $25,629. Rochester Institute Of Technology alumni report median earnings of $76,571 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,629 median debt. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants. See the full Rochester Institute Of Technology profile
California State University Chico offered strong value this year, earning the #14 position. More on California State University Chico
Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. See the full Central Methodist University College Of Graduate And Extended Studies profile
East Carolina University placed #16 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. See the full East Carolina University profile
Hill College
Hill College came in at #17 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Hill College
Lakeland College
Lakeland College ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Read more about Lakeland College
Lander University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Get the full Lander University report
Los Angeles Trade Technical College placed #20 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Los Angeles Trade Technical College report
Otterbein University landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Otterbein University profile
Southern New Hampshire University placed #22 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Southern New Hampshire University profile
St Catherine University placed #23 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. More on St Catherine University
University Of New Orleans came in at #24 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of New Orleans report
Cornell University placed #25 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Cornell University
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Physical Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Cuny College Of Staten Island came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on Cuny College Of Staten Island
East Tennessee State University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. See the full East Tennessee State University profile
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology placed #28 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology
Harvey Mudd College ranked #29 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Get the full Harvey Mudd College report
Heidelberg University ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Get the full Heidelberg University report
Mount Olive College offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Read more about Mount Olive College
Shasta College
Shasta College came in at #32 in this year's value ranking. See the full Shasta College profile
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Read more about Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania
The College Of Wooster ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. See the full The College Of Wooster profile
Tuskegee University placed #35 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Tuskegee University profile
Alvernia University landed the #36 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Alvernia University
Augsburg College
Augsburg College placed #37 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Augsburg College
Citrus College
Citrus College came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Citrus College
Clovis Community College Fresno came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on Clovis Community College Fresno
Cuny Hostos Community College landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Cuny Hostos Community College
Mcpherson College offered strong value this year, earning the #41 position. Read the full report on Mcpherson College
Montgomery County Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. See the full Montgomery County Community College profile
Sacred Heart University ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. More on Sacred Heart University
Santa Fe Community College ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Read more about Santa Fe Community College
The University Of Montana offered strong value this year, earning the #45 position. Read more about The University Of Montana
Dalton State College landed the #46 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Dalton State College
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Physical Sciences schools. Read more about Florida Gulf Coast University
Mercyhurst College landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Mercyhurst College
Northampton County Area Community College came in at #49 in this year's value ranking. See the full Northampton County Area Community College profile
Texas State University San Marcos placed #50 among the best-value Physical Sciences schools in the United States. More on Texas State University San Marcos
Related Physical Sciences Value Rankings
Explore other degree levels:
- Best Value Physical Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Physical Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Physical Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Physical Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Physical Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Physical Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value 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 1522 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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