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Cheapest Physical Sciences Colleges

Ranked by lowest net price after financial aid. See our methodology.

CUNY John Jay College stands out with a net price of just $3,046 for Physical Sciences students, making it remarkably affordable despite its New York City location where laboratory space typically commands premium costs. The gap between the cheapest option and schools like University of Wyoming at $11,779 reveals how geography and funding models create dramatic price differences in science education. Texas A&M International follows closely at $3,061, serving the growing research corridor along the Texas-Mexico border where energy companies increasingly seek bilingual scientists for cross-border projects. California dominates the affordable options with CSU Stanislaus and Fresno both under $7,000, reflecting the state's commitment to accessible science education in regions feeding into Silicon Valley's tech ecosystem. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology offers specialized geological training at $8,265, positioning graduates for the Southwest's expanding renewable energy sector where mining expertise translates directly to rare earth element extraction for solar panels and wind turbines.
50
Programs
$3,046 – $18,282
Net Price Range
$52,107
Avg. Program Earnings
53.1%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Physical Sciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $3,046 $7,470 55.5% 50.7%
2 $3,061 $7,846 48.9% 47.9%
3 $3,669 $3,870 17.1%
4 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
5 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
6 $6,500 $9,859 49.3% 87.7%
7 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
8 $7,912 $7,868 34.9%
9 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
10 $8,463 $8,419 44.0% 72.8%
11 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
12 $11,729 $10,920 46.3% 85.4%
13 $11,779 $6,938 59.8% 96.0%
14 $12,171 $8,508 48.7% 94.4%
15 $12,473 $21,000 23.0%
16 $12,603 $7,504 42.5% 99.9%
17 $12,684 $5,274 47.0% 54.4%
18 $12,882 $7,424 50.1% 94.2%
19 $12,912 $12,512 52.1% 80.6%
20 $13,167 $7,913 46.6% 98.2%
21 $13,172 $9,315 63.9% 89.1%
22 $13,198 $8,092 37.8% 99.1%
23 $13,308 $8,078 38.1%
24 $13,493 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
25 $13,670 $12,051 67.8% 89.8%
26 $13,707 $14,170 76.6% 68.7%
27 $13,809 $8,864 44.6% 97.9%
28 $13,884 $6,438 54.4% 34.2%
29 $14,401 $12,997 61.6% 83.1%
30 $14,596 $9,436 35.7% 92.2%
31 $14,738 $11,286 55.5% 87.7%
32 $14,979 $14,850 92.9% 11.3%
33 $14,986 $23,340 59.4% 64.6%
34 $15,216 $11,188 45.9% 95.2%
35 $15,288 $15,247 85.1% 37.3%
36 $15,306 $34,816 46.3% 64.9%
37 $15,331 $9,712 41.5% 81.8%
38 $15,374 $9,651 71.2% 74.3%
39 $15,590 $11,505 88.6% 44.6%
40 $15,702 $7,356 54.3% 95.7%
41 $15,975 $33,220 38.3% 74.5%
42 $16,174 $8,290 78.3% 39.3%
43 $16,607 $14,560 74.5% 46.9%
44 $16,630 $14,620 43.4% 93.6%
45 $16,774 $36,258 47.4% 93.0%
46 $17,001 $9,000 38.6% 96.6%
47 $17,216 $11,380 52.4% 91.9%
48 $17,838 $29,600 48.8%
49 $17,883 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%
50 $18,282 $15,496 51.1% 80.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY John Jay College so affordable for Physical Sciences at just $3,046?

CUNY John Jay benefits from New York State funding and serves primarily in-state students paying $7,470 in tuition. The school focuses on applied sciences related to forensics and criminal justice, requiring less expensive specialized equipment than pure research institutions. Despite the low net price, the program maintains a 55.50% graduation rate with moderate debt loads averaging $9,843.

How do California State Universities keep Physical Sciences costs below $7,000?

CSU Stanislaus and Fresno leverage the California State University system's economies of scale and state funding to maintain net prices of $5,671 and $6,480 respectively. Both schools accept over 95% of applicants, making science education accessible to students who might not qualify for more selective programs. Stanislaus achieves a 58% graduation rate while Fresno graduates 54.8% of its Physical Sciences students.

Is New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology worth the $8,265 cost?

New Mexico Tech specializes in geology, mining engineering, and materials science, making it highly relevant for regional mining and energy industries. The school maintains a 56.40% graduation rate with a more selective 74.43% acceptance rate, indicating stronger academic preparation requirements. Students gain access to real mining operations and research facilities that larger universities cannot provide.

Does attending a low-cost Physical Sciences program limit career prospects?

Many affordable programs serve specific regional industries effectively, such as Texas A&M International's connection to cross-border energy projects or University of Wyoming's ties to natural resource extraction. Wyoming graduates 59.8% of students despite charging just $6,938 for in-state tuition. The key factor is matching program strengths to local job markets rather than overall program cost.

Where can students find the best value for specialized Physical Sciences training?

Regional public universities often provide the strongest value proposition by combining low costs with industry connections. Western New Mexico University costs $7,912 but serves mining and energy sectors, while Purdue Northwest at $8,463 connects students to Chicago-area manufacturing and research facilities. These schools graduate 34.9% and 44% respectively, reflecting the demanding nature of their technical programs.

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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.