[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 184 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geological & earth sciences schools.
Finding the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences School for You
The geological & earth sciences program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. To help, we created our Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for geological & earth sciences in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,088 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,688. Students borrow a median of $15,149 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University San Bernardino generally make around $42,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,437. That is a strong return on a $16,202 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Fullerton earned it the #4 place for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,125. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $35,509. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fresno earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. California State University Fresno is a very large public school located in the city of Fresno. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,598 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $83,116. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fresno admits about 95% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #8 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Murray State University earned the #9 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach came in at #12 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,732. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $51,087. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
El Paso Community College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $8,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from El Paso Community College generally make around $29,086. That is a strong return on a $8,542 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #14 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $19,375. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida International University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. 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, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #16 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #17 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences 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. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Portland State University placed #18 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,125. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $37,831 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #19 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #20 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $10,492. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
University Of California Merced landed the #21 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,071. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of California San Diego came in at #22 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $17,101. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $79,645. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,280 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Berkeley earned the #24 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $14,238. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $70,847. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 11%.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #25 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $50,894. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geological & earth sciences:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 184 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 184 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).
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
