2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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.
College Factual analyzed 87 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 Middle Atlantic 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 Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for geology & earth sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. 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. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of $43,985 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,241. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $50,370. Set against $21,241 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. Students from in state pay about $14,299 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,446. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $50,645. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Delaware one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Delaware earn a median of $54,155 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.
Suny College At Oswego placed #7 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,825, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Suny College At Oswego earn a median of $41,899 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny College At Oswego admits about 80% of applicants.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #8 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, with out-of-state students paying around $18,822. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $40,524 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Students borrow a median of $24,275 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $27,395. That is a strong return on a $24,275 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York landed the #11 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,065. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $34,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,937 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University At Buffalo placed #13 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,250. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,691 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania landed the #15 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Millersville, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #16 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,929 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,441. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,830 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $47,045. Set against $24,830 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $28,040 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #18 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $61,258 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #19 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $38,652. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #20 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Cornell University came in at #21 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #22 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #23 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Lehigh University generally make around $70,321. Set against $19,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
Syracuse University landed the #24 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,130. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $54,785. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.
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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 · 87 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
