2027 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the Southeast Region

[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the Southeast Region
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
For return on investment in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, no school beat Florida Atlantic University this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Murray State 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 town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Western Kentucky University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, while out-of-state students pay about $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida Gulf Coast University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,118 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Old Dominion University earned the #7 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University placed #8 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Set against $28,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Georgia State University earned the #9 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $46,337. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Mississippi State University came in at #10 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, with out-of-state students paying around $27,637. Students borrow a median of $26,286 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $53,101 early in their careers. Set against $26,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
College Of Charleston came in at #11 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, while out-of-state students pay about $38,296. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $26,500. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of College Of Charleston earn a median of $49,786 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. College Of Charleston admits about 60% of applicants.
Auburn University placed #12 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Set in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, 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. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $55,422. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Miami came in at #13 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,616. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of Miami earn a median of $57,234 early in their careers. Set against $17,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.