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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Idaho

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Idaho

2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Idaho

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

1

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

$4,800 In-State Tuition & Fees

$13,287 Avg Student Debt

$53,406 Median Earnings (10yr)

Leading the list is Brigham Young University Idaho, our #1 best value for geology & earth sciences in Idaho. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

2

Boise State University
Boise, ID

$9,048 In-State Tuition & Fees

$27,299 Avg Student Debt

$51,658 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Boise State University earned it the #2 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,299. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $31,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

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 · 8 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.