2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in North Carolina
[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 best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in North Carolina
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
Our analysis ranked University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in North Carolina. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,897. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $37,717 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,897 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Appalachian State University, which ranked #3. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,853 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $35,021 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,853 median debt. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at North Carolina State University At Raleigh, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,234 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earned it the #5 place for geology & earth sciences. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public school located in the city of Wilmington. In-state tuition and fees average $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn a median of $38,459 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 64%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
