2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Geophysics & Seismology](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geophysics-and-seismology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geophysics & seismology students.
What’s on this page:
2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Wyoming, our #1 best value for geophysics & seismology in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. 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.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Utah earned it the #2 place for geophysics & seismology. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geophysics & seismology will find it at Boise State University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,048, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Students borrow a median of $27,299 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $31,701. That is a strong return on a $27,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Colorado Boulder one of the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $46,263. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
A rank of #5 makes Colorado School Of Mines one of the best values for geophysics & seismology. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. In-state tuition and fees average $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $24,521. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $79,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Narrow Geophysics & Seismology Schools by State
More Geophysics & Seismology Rankings
View All Geophysics & Seismology Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 5 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.
