2027 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 17 schools to find the best return on investment for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences students.
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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
Florida Atlantic University tops our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. 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. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. 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.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
Georgia State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $53,298. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Maine landed the #6 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #7 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,202 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $26,286. 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. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield earned the #8 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,481. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Oregon State University earned the #9 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,450. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
University At Buffalo ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $39,696. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #11 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, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $64,891. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island came in at #12 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,942, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Auburn University earned the #13 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of Connecticut landed the #14 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $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. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $25,449. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $79,523. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Dartmouth College earned the #17 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 5%.
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), 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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.