2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Oregon
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Oregon
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geology & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Portland State University the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in Oregon. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $37,831. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Oregon State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot 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, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,000. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $39,450 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Oregon, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,516. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,145 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
