2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 11 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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Students borrow a median of $29,725 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,112 early in their careers. Set against $29,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,380, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Students borrow a median of $26,513 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus generally make around $34,617. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. 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%.
A rank of #4 makes West Chester University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #5 place for geology & earth sciences. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,334. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Susquehanna University earned the #7 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,097. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Susquehanna University admits about 81% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #8 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $38,652 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $53,908. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lafayette College landed the #10 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Easton. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $59,513. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University came in at #11 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,707. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $70,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 11 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.