2027 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the Southwest 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geophysics & seismology students.
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2027 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geophysics & seismology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At El Paso the best value for a degree in geophysics & seismology in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $19,819. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At El Paso admits about 100% of applicants.
University Of Houston came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. 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, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $89,896. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned it the #3 place for geophysics & seismology. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $86,497 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $50,993. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Students looking for strong value in geophysics & seismology will find it at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $16,487 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,062. That is a strong return on a $16,487 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station placed #6 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. 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 $57,562. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.