2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Michigan

[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong geology & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 15 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geology & earth sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Michigan
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
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in Michigan. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Grand Valley State University earned it the #3 place for geology & earth sciences. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $38,675. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Western Michigan University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,981. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,966. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $29,869. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 15 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.