2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in New York

[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 39 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in New York
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
For return on investment in geology & earth sciences, no school beat Cuny Brooklyn College this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Suny College At Oswego came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. 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, compared with $18,735 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of New Paltz. In-state tuition and fees average $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. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,524. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Suny At Geneseo, which ranked #4. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,275. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,395. That is a strong return on a $24,275 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Columbia University In The City Of New York, which ranked #5. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $70,517. Students borrow a median of $21,065 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $34,658. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
University At Buffalo came in at #6 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,250. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,696. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton came in at #7 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Cornell University placed #8 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Syracuse University earned the #9 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. That is a strong return on a $26,130 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 39 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.