2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Master’s Degree 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 114 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the United States
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
Stanford University earned the #1 spot for value among other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #3 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $42,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Washington Seattle Campus one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $29,724. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming earned the #6 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, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $23,700. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,758 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $65,268. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #8 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $26,286 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $63,904. Set against $26,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Georgia State University came in at #9 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $26,500. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $53,298. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island placed #10 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $23,432. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Oregon State University earned the #11 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. 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 $39,450. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #12 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $20,837 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $64,891 early in their careers. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 57%.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #13 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,790. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #14 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut earned the #15 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, with out-of-state students paying around $43,712. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the town of Durham, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $26,368 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of New Hampshire Main Campus generally make around $52,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado School Of Mines came in at #17 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $24,521. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $79,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Colorado School Of Mines admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Miami earned the #18 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $62,616. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $17,750. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. That is a strong return on a $17,750 median debt. University Of Miami admits about 19% of applicants.
Other Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 114 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.