Cheapest Physical Sciences Colleges

CUNY Hunter College stands out with a net cost of just $2,446 for Physical Sciences, Other programs, making it nearly five times cheaper than the next most affordable option at $11,024. This stark difference highlights how location and funding models shape educational access across the country. The Physical Sciences, Other field encompasses interdisciplinary areas like materials science, environmental science, and applied physics that serve growing sectors in renewable energy, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. These industries have created particular demand along the East Coast corridor where Hunter College sits, as well as in tech centers throughout California and the Mountain West. Graduation rates across these affordable programs vary significantly, from Empire State University's 29.3% to UC San Diego's impressive 87.6%, suggesting that low cost doesn't automatically predict student success. The earnings data shows graduates typically start around $28,212, reflecting entry-level positions in research labs, quality control, and technical support roles that often lead to higher-paying specialized careers.

Programs

$2,446 – $47,527

Net Price Range

$29,116

Avg. Program Earnings

69.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

46 Physical Sciences, Other Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	CUNY Hunter College New York, New York	$2,446	$7,382	61.0%	47.9%
2	University of North Alabama Florence, Alabama	$11,024	$11,990	54.0%	95.7%
3	Empire State University Saratoga Springs, New York	$11,147	$7,630	29.3%
4	University of California-San Diego La Jolla, California	$11,750	$15,265	87.6%	23.7%
5	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina	$12,983	$8,989	92.1%	17.1%
6	University of Utah Salt Lake City, Utah	$13,172	$9,315	63.9%	89.1%
7	Saginaw Valley State University University Center, Michigan	$14,582	$12,240	53.8%	76.4%
8	Wayne State University Detroit, Michigan	$14,773	$14,297	56.5%	75.3%
9	Northern Arizona University Flagstaff, Arizona	$14,922	$12,652	56.9%	80.0%
10	University of California-Davis Davis, California	$15,288	$15,247	85.1%	37.3%
11	Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland	$15,323	$9,998	52.1%	87.9%
12	Grinnell College Grinnell, Iowa	$15,608	$64,862	87.5%	10.8%
13	Central Connecticut State University New Britain, Connecticut	$16,435	$12,460	49.3%	76.7%
14	Albion College Albion, Michigan	$16,882	$55,746	57.1%	66.5%
15	Black Hills State University Spearfish, South Dakota	$17,001	$9,000	38.6%	96.6%
16	Benedict College Columbia, South Carolina	$17,781	$18,000	21.1%	67.8%
17	Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland	$18,161	$63,340	94.6%	7.3%
18	George Mason University Fairfax, Virginia	$18,287	$13,815	69.3%	90.0%
19	Stony Brook University Stony Brook, New York	$18,430	$10,560	77.8%	49.1%
20	University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts	$18,627	$16,570	70.1%	86.0%
21	Swarthmore College Swarthmore, Pennsylvania	$18,686	$62,412	94.1%	6.9%
22	Azusa Pacific University Azusa, California	$19,798	$43,600	64.4%	87.0%
23	University of Alabama in Huntsville Huntsville, Alabama	$19,880	$11,770	61.9%	78.1%
24	Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York	$20,148	$69,045	95.0%	4.0%
25	University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, Virginia	$21,108	$14,559	67.4%	85.8%
26	John Brown University Siloam Springs, Arkansas	$21,144	$30,832	66.8%	56.6%
27	Olivet Nazarene University Bourbonnais, Illinois	$21,539	$37,940	60.3%	57.8%
28	Cedar Crest College Allentown, Pennsylvania	$22,909	$44,934	58.2%	84.3%
29	Russell Sage College Troy, New York	$23,027	$36,756	65.7%	73.6%
30	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, Virginia	$23,790	$15,478	86.3%	57.0%
31	The College of Saint Scholastica Duluth, Minnesota	$23,949	$40,454	63.0%	96.6%
32	Concordia University-Nebraska Seward, Nebraska	$24,016	$39,330	64.1%	90.8%
33	Carthage College Kenosha, Wisconsin	$24,813	$36,500	60.5%	81.8%
34	Susquehanna University Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania	$26,539	$57,400	74.1%	76.7%
35	Boston University Boston, Massachusetts	$26,996	$65,168	90.0%	14.4%
36	Yale University New Haven, Connecticut	$27,818	$64,700	96.3%	4.6%
37	Temple University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania	$29,219	$22,082	74.7%	79.7%
38	Suffolk University Boston, Massachusetts	$30,031	$45,380	59.8%	86.8%
39	Hobart William Smith Colleges Geneva, New York	$31,057	$63,268	72.7%	68.4%
40	Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	$31,671	$63,829	92.5%	11.3%
41	Xavier University Cincinnati, Ohio	$32,342	$48,125	70.5%	84.5%
42	Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Troy, New York	$33,139	$61,884	83.2%	64.5%
43	Morehouse College Atlanta, Georgia	$35,949	$31,725	52.7%	60.0%
44	Union College Schenectady, New York	$36,000	$66,456	85.3%	46.5%
45	University of Miami Coral Gables, Florida	$36,803	$59,926	84.2%	18.9%
46	Chapman University Orange, California	$47,527	$62,784	80.4%	72.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY Hunter College so much cheaper than other Physical Sciences programs?

Hunter College's net cost of $2,446 reflects New York's substantial investment in CUNY schools and the college's urban location that reduces housing costs for commuter students. The school serves a large population of in-state students who qualify for state financial aid programs. This creates an unusual situation where a school in one of the country's most expensive cities offers the most affordable Physical Sciences education. The $4,936 in-state tuition combined with generous aid packages makes it accessible to students who might otherwise be priced out of science education.

How do graduation rates compare between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

The data reveals no clear correlation between cost and graduation success in Physical Sciences programs. UC San Diego, with a net cost of $11,750, achieves an 87.6% graduation rate, while significantly cheaper Empire State University graduates only 29.3% of students. Grinnell College, despite charging $15,608 net cost, maintains an 87.5% graduation rate. These differences often reflect student preparation levels, support services, and program structure rather than tuition prices alone.

Is the $28,212 starting salary typical for Physical Sciences graduates?

The reported earnings of $28,212 represents entry-level positions that Physical Sciences, Other graduates typically enter immediately after college. This includes roles like laboratory technicians, research assistants, and quality control analysts. Many graduates use these positions as stepping stones to higher-paying careers in specialized fields like materials engineering or environmental consulting. The interdisciplinary nature of Physical Sciences, Other programs means graduates often pursue additional training or certifications that can significantly increase earning potential within 3-5 years.

Does acceptance rate indicate program competitiveness in Physical Sciences?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically, from UC San Diego's selective 23.71% to University of North Alabama's open 95.68%, but this reflects institutional admissions policies rather than Physical Sciences program quality. Highly selective schools like UNC Chapel Hill (17.11% acceptance) and Grinnell College (10.76%) maintain competitive standards across all majors. Meanwhile, schools with higher acceptance rates often provide opportunities for students who might excel in science despite lower test scores or grades. The key factor is finding a program that matches your academic preparation and career goals.

Where do most affordable Physical Sciences programs cluster geographically?

The most affordable options spread across different regions, with CUNY in New York, University of Utah in the Mountain West, and UC schools in California leading the value rankings. This geographic diversity reflects varying state funding models and cost of living differences. California's UC system appears twice in the top 10 despite the state's high living costs, showing how effective state investment can keep education affordable. Regional job markets also influence these programs, with Mountain West schools serving mining and energy industries while coastal programs connect to biotech and environmental sectors.

More Physical Sciences, Other Rankings

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.