2027 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geophysics & Seismology](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geophysics-and-seismology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geophysics & seismology education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 25 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geophysics & seismology students.
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2027 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geophysics & seismology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of California Berkeley the best value for a degree in geophysics & seismology in the United States. Located in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley generally make around $70,847. That is a strong return on a $14,238 median debt. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #2 place for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,910. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $10,492. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Students looking for strong value in geophysics & seismology will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geophysics & seismology, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
The University Of Texas At El Paso placed #6 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Wyoming ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #8 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston placed #9 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, while out-of-state students pay about $22,547. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $25,000. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $89,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
University Of California Riverside ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $22,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #12 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $29,250. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $86,497. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Students borrow a median of $21,800 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. Set against $21,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #14 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $23,250. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #15 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $20,798. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #17 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, with out-of-state students paying around $28,631. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $42,218. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #18 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $16,487. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,062. Set against $16,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Students borrow a median of $24,275 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $37,022. That is a strong return on a $24,275 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #20 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,481. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #21 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $44,585. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
Western Washington University landed the #22 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, with out-of-state students paying around $28,707. Students borrow a median of $26,158 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $36,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,158 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Boise State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. 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 geophysics & seismology graduates is $27,299. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $31,701. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Carolina Columbia ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. In-state tuition and fees average $12,688, while out-of-state students pay about $36,298. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $26,500. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $38,432. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #25 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $46,263 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Other Geophysics & Seismology Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geophysics & Seismology rankings across degree levels:
View All Geophysics & Seismology Rankings >
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 · 25 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
