2027 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong other geological & earth sciences/geosciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences students.
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2027 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools
Michigan Technological University tops our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. 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. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of $52,308 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $23,250. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $57,461 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #4 place for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Illinois State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. In-state tuition and fees average $14,410, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $49,660. That is a strong return on a $21,896 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $45,196. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
