2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[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 553 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 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Sacramento earned it the #3 place for geology & earth sciences. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,907. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. 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.
Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,488. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,488 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $38,804 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of California San Diego placed #7 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $79,645. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #8 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #9 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #10 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $42,779 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #11 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,700. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,758 early in their careers. Set against $23,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #12 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #13 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,577. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Utah State University came in at #14 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #15 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,000. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,692 early in their careers. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 50%.
University Of Houston ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $89,896. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #17 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor came in at #18 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $45,974. That is a strong return on a $17,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #20 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #22 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #23 on our 2026 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. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 45%.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #24 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $43,362. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #25 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $44,825 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geology & earth sciences value ranking:
Other Geology & Earth Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geology & earth sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 553 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
