2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Washington
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geology & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Washington
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in Washington. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $29,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Eastern Washington University earned it the #2 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, compared with $26,583 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,754. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #3. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Washington State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,905 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $33,178 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Central Washington University, which ranked #5. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,988 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Washington University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,158 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Washington University generally make around $36,802. Set against $26,158 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Whitman College placed #7 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,050. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,518. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $32,345. That is a strong return on a $17,518 median debt. Whitman College admits about 38% of applicants.
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
