2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast 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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,691. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,420. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Florida Online is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Florida International University, which ranked #5. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,349. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,117. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University landed the #7 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith came in at #8 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, with out-of-state students paying around $12,182. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,333 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,204. That is a strong return on a $20,333 median debt. University Of Arkansas Fort Smith admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee Martin landed the #10 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,560, with out-of-state students paying around $16,600. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,770. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Set against $23,770 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of West Georgia came in at #11 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Carrollton, University Of West Georgia is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $33,344. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans landed the #12 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,048. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $42,720. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #13 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public school located in the city of Murfreesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, compared with $31,574 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,256 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $34,329. That is a strong return on a $31,256 median debt. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University placed #14 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Tennessee Technological University is a large public school located in the town of Cookeville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,376, compared with $15,576 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,580. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $46,981. Set against $17,580 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Georgia Southern University came in at #15 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students from in state pay about $6,022 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,734. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,500. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia Southern University generally make around $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #16 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $37,717. Set against $24,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
West Virginia University earned the #17 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Columbus State University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Set against $28,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #19 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $22,234. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $38,871. That is a strong return on a $22,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Appalachian State University came in at #20 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,853 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $35,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University placed #21 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Students borrow a median of $21,301 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $45,444. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Tennessee State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #22 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $46,337. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University landed the #23 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,286 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $53,101. That is a strong return on a $26,286 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
College Of William And Mary ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $25,734, compared with $51,038 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,935 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $53,338. Set against $18,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 34%.
College Of Charleston landed the #25 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Charleston, College Of Charleston is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,978, with out-of-state students paying around $38,296. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,786. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geology & earth sciences this year:
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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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
