2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for geology & earth sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $37,280. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, compared with $63,081 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,875. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $45,974 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Michigan Technological University earned it the #3 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,800. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,209. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $38,867 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #6 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,678. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #8 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $42,932 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $43,068 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #10 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,156. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #11 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Students from in state pay about $9,642 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #12 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $28,750. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $38,675 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University placed #13 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,896. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $29,869. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $39,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #15 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,500. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $38,637. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #16 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Augustana College Illinois placed #17 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $51,598. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,764. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,096. That is a strong return on a $26,764 median debt. The acceptance rate is 63%.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #18 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,449. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. Set against $25,449 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford placed #20 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,862 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $38,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Oberlin College earned the #21 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,366. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oberlin College admits about 34% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
