2027 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools

[Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences-geosciences-other/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 61 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools.
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Finding the Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences School for You
The other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
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One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
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2027 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools
Leading the list is California State University Fullerton, our #1 best value for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $15,125. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $35,509. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,781 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $19,375. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $49,427. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $15,117. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #8 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,732 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #9 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
San Jose State University placed #10 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. San Jose State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Jose. Students from in state pay about $8,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,010 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,988. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Portland State University came in at #11 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #12 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $18,969. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $42,779. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #13 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $16,298. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $41,963. That is a strong return on a $16,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Michigan Technological University placed #14 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, while out-of-state students pay about $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Florida Gulf Coast University generally make around $50,726. That is a strong return on a $20,015 median debt. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #16 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #17 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming earned the #18 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
Northern Illinois University placed #19 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. In-state tuition and fees average $13,060. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Set against $25,209 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University placed #20 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Eastern Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Cheney. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #21 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Utah State University landed the #22 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $16,191. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #23 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,230. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $48,489. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo admits about 31% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #24 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $20,798. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Old Dominion University earned the #25 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Old Dominion University admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 61 ranked 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 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.