2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in Ohio

[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geological & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in Ohio
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
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in Ohio. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,135, with out-of-state students paying around $20,815. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,678. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Ohio State University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Ohio University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $38,637. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Kent State University At Kent one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,005 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 geological & earth sciences will find it at Bowling Green State University Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, compared with $28,697 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford placed #7 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,862. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $38,478 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Oberlin College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,366 in tuition and fees. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $25,146. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 34% 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.