2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 167 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geological & earth sciences schools.
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2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geological & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in geological & earth sciences in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. 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. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University San Bernardino one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,149. 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%.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,202. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,437. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,125. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Florida came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%.
California State University Sacramento placed #7 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University earned the #8 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #9 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #10 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,732 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $51,087. Set against $15,732 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
Florida Atlantic University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,212. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #12 spot for geological & earth sciences value 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #13 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $19,349. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #14 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & 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. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego earned the #15 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. 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. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #16 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Portland State University placed #17 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $37,831. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Stanford University earned the #18 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #19 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Merced ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,653 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $18,318. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #21 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Chicago admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley came in at #22 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Berkeley is a very large public school located in the city of Berkeley. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Students borrow a median of $14,238 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences 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.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #23 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, while out-of-state students pay about $17,434. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston Downtown generally make around $50,894. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston Downtown admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas earned the #24 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $16,298 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. Set against $16,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #25 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $42,779 early in their careers. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geological & earth sciences this year:
Other Geological & Earth Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geological & earth sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings >
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 · 167 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 167 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.
