2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Massachusetts
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Salem State University earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,656. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Bridgewater, Bridgewater State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Bridgewater State University earn a median of $48,937 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Williams College earned it the #3 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $53,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology, which ranked #4. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology generally make around $113,129. That is a strong return on a $13,516 median debt. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology admits about 4% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Massachusetts Amherst, which ranked #5. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Students from in state pay about $17,772 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,195. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Boston University came in at #6 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,102 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
Smith College placed #7 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,941 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,436. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Smith College admits about 21% of applicants.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.