2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geology & earth sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
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
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Cuny Brooklyn College earn a median of $40,843 early in their careers. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fresno earned it the #2 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,341, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,598. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $83,116 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,598 median debt. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Stanford University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $10,492. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,101. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $29,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University came in at #9 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,800. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of California Davis ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, while out-of-state students pay about $47,692. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,416. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $43,462. Set against $16,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Set against $20,052 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 95%.
University Of Houston earned the #12 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $89,896 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #13 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. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,692. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #14 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Students borrow a median of $12,184 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $54,507. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #15 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $86,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #16 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #17 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $44,825. That is a strong return on a $21,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #18 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,897. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $37,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #19 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,553. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #20 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $43,068. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University placed #21 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,500. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Maine landed the #22 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,326, while out-of-state students pay about $36,756. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Kansas placed #23 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Mississippi State University came in at #24 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,286 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $63,904 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #25 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $34,481. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. Missouri State University Springfield admits about 90% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 45 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geology & earth sciences this year:
Other Geology & Earth Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geology & Earth Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings >
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 45 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.
