2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
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
For return on investment in geological & earth sciences, no school beat California State University Fullerton this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $7,470 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
California State University Long Beach came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,671. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,439 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Students borrow a median of $16,298 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $41,963. That is a strong return on a $16,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stanford University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #7 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego earned the #8 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $79,645. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, with out-of-state students paying around $43,155. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,640 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Merced earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $18,318. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University came in at #13 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,754. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $47,144. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #14 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Portland State University landed the #15 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,526 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,476 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Sonoma State University landed the #17 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $18,031. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $51,140. That is a strong return on a $18,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #19 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $21,800 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $30,759. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of California Riverside earned the #20 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,524. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $19,187. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $22,998 early in their careers. Set against $19,187 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Washington State University placed #21 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Students from in state pay about $13,391 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $22,905. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $33,178. That is a strong return on a $22,905 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Davis came in at #22 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,416 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,462. That is a strong return on a $16,416 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University came in at #23 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, compared with $27,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,489. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.
University Of Nevada Reno came in at #25 for value in geological & earth sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,553. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 31 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geological & earth sciences value ranking:
Narrow Geological & Earth Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 142 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 28 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.
[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.
