2026 Best Value Biological Physical Science Schools
Looking for the best-value Biological Physical Science programs programs in the United States? This list ranks 382 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Grad Degree 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 Biological Physical Science Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
For return on investment, no school beat University Of Northern Iowa this year in the United States. Located in Cedar Falls, IA, University Of Northern Iowa is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,936, while out-of-state students pay about $21,712. Graduates carry a median of $22,635 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,177. That is a strong return on a $22,635 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%. Read the full report on University Of Northern Iowa
Out of the 382 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Keck Graduate Institute landed the #2 spot. Located in Claremont, CA, Keck Graduate Institute is a private not-for-profit institution. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $19,250. Read more about Keck Graduate Institute
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Texas Tech University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Texas Tech University is a public school based in Lubbock, TX. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete their Biological Physical Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,454. That is a strong return on a $24,271 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read the full report on Texas Tech University
You'll get strong value at Touro College, which ranked #4 this year. Touro College is a private not-for-profit school based in New York, NY. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,052. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $20,285. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $53,419. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Touro College has an acceptance rate of 61%. Get the full Touro College report
A rank of #5 makes Rutgers University New Brunswick one of the best values in the United States. Set in New Brunswick, NJ, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,929, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. The median Biological Physical Science program debt is $25,120. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Set against $25,120 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rutgers University New Brunswick has an acceptance rate of 58%. More on Rutgers University New Brunswick
Rutgers University Newark landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Newark, NJ, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,250, with out-of-state students paying around $36,762. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $25,065. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $74,479. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted. More on Rutgers University Newark
Stephen F Austin State University landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Nacogdoches, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $24,759. Stephen F Austin State University alumni report median earnings of $49,634 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University has an acceptance rate of 94%. Read more about Stephen F Austin State University
Louisiana Tech University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best-value Biological Physical Science schools. Louisiana Tech University is a public school based in Ruston, LA. In-state tuition and fees average $10,125, compared with $16,866 for out-of-state students. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $23,846. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,279 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,846 median debt. About 86% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full Louisiana Tech University report
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Biological Physical Science schools. Located in Denver, CO, University Of Colorado Denver is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,582 to complete their Biological Physical Science program here. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $64,270. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 75% of those who apply are admitted. More on University Of Colorado Denver
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Graduates carry a median of $23,608 in student loans. Median earnings reach $61,945 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,608 median debt. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants. See the full University Of Kansas profile
The University Of Texas At El Paso landed the #11 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in El Paso, TX, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $50,923. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At El Paso
University Of Virginia Main Campus landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Charlottesville, VA, University Of Virginia Main Campus is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $23,118, compared with $61,591 for out-of-state students. University Of Virginia Main Campus Biological Physical Science students take on a median of $18,627 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $86,863 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Virginia Main Campus admits about 17% of applicants. Get the full University Of Virginia Main Campus report
University Of Missouri Columbia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Biological Physical Science schools. This public school is set in Columbia, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $21,818. University Of Missouri Columbia alumni report median earnings of $63,403 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 78% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Missouri Columbia
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #15 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. This public school is set in Fort Collins, CO. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,373, while out-of-state students pay about $35,061. Students borrow a median of $22,843 to complete their Biological Physical Science program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $60,543 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. See the full Colorado State University Fort Collins profile
George Mason University landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. George Mason University Biological Physical Science students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $76,343 ten years after entry. Set against $23,529 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read the full report on George Mason University
The University Of Texas At Dallas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Biological Physical Science schools. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a public school based in Richardson, TX. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,531 to complete their Biological Physical Science program here. The University Of Texas At Dallas alumni report median earnings of $68,227 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Dallas
College Of William And Mary placed #18 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Located in Williamsburg, VA, College Of William And Mary is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $18,935. Graduates go on to earn a median of $73,490 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 34% of those who apply are admitted. More on College Of William And Mary
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $82,860 ten years after entry. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%. See the full University Of Maryland College Park profile
Rice University offered strong value this year, earning the #19 position. Located in Houston, TX, Rice University is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,247. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $11,904. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $89,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rice University admits about 8% of applicants. More on Rice University
Wright State University Main Campus came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Set in Dayton, OH, Wright State University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Wright State University Main Campus Biological Physical Science students take on a median of $25,836 in debt. Median earnings reach $49,500 ten years out. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Wright State University Main Campus profile
Missouri Western State University landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Saint Joseph, MO. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,545, while out-of-state students pay about $18,455. The median Biological Physical Science program debt is $24,362. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $42,647. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. See the full Missouri Western State University profile
University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #23 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Based in Fairbanks, AK, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,083, while out-of-state students pay about $25,892. Typical Biological Physical Science student debt is $23,439. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $48,866. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Read the full report on University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Baton Rouge, LA, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,954 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete their Biological Physical Science program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,251. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%. Read more about Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. Set in Colorado Springs, CO, University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,906, with out-of-state students paying around $25,039. Students borrow a median of $23,559 to complete their Biological Physical Science program here. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs alumni report median earnings of $54,659 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,559 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%. Get the full University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs report
Columbia College Sonora placed #25 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Columbia College Sonora
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Biological Physical Science Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Santa Barbara City College placed #26 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Get the full Santa Barbara City College report
Southwest Virginia Community College placed #27 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. More on Southwest Virginia Community College
Evergreen Valley College landed the #28 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Evergreen Valley College
The Community College Of Baltimore County landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The Community College Of Baltimore County
Allan Hancock College offered strong value this year, earning the #30 position. See the full Allan Hancock College profile
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Middle Tennessee State University report
Santiago Canyon College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Santiago Canyon College report
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus placed #33 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Lehigh University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best-value Biological Physical Science schools. See the full Lehigh University profile
University Of Alaska Anchorage placed #35 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Alaska Anchorage report
Bennington College offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Bennington College report
Sheridan College
Sheridan College placed #37 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Sheridan College
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
Waubonsee Community College offered strong value this year, earning the #39 position. Get the full Waubonsee Community College report
Purdue University Main Campus landed the #40 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Purdue University Main Campus
City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College placed #41 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on City Colleges Of Chicago Olive Harvey College
Calumet College Of Saint Joseph placed #42 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. More on Calumet College Of Saint Joseph
Fullerton College came in at #43 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Fullerton College report
Santa Monica College placed #44 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. See the full Santa Monica College profile
Danville Area Community College landed the #45 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Danville Area Community College
Sierra College
Sierra College ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best-value Biological Physical Science schools. Get the full Sierra College report
California State University Chico offered strong value this year, earning the #47 position. Get the full California State University Chico report
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca landed the #48 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Glendale Community College Glendale Ca
North Greenville University offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read the full report on North Greenville University
Southeastern Illinois College placed #50 among the best-value Biological Physical Science schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southeastern Illinois College
Best Value Biological Physical Science Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Biological Physical Science Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Grad Degree (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on 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 382 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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