2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geological & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 47 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
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at California State University Fresno, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,341 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,941. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,598. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of $83,116 early in their careers. Set against $15,598 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,340. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
Stanford University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California San Diego ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Alaska Fairbanks came in at #7 for value in geological & earth sciences 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. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. 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.
University Of Georgia landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $21,792 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $29,724. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Michigan Technological University placed #10 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of California Davis earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,416. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,462. Set against $16,416 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis admits about 42% of applicants.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Odessa. In-state tuition and fees average $9,607, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,052 median debt. The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin admits about 95% of applicants.
University Of Houston placed #13 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $89,896 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $39,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #15 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $54,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #16 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $86,497. That is a strong return on a $29,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #17 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $44,825. Set against $21,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #19 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $37,717 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #20 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #21 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $43,068 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University landed the #22 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,500. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $53,298 early in their careers. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Maine earned the #23 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Orono, University Of Maine is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,326, compared with $36,756 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,984. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Maine earn a median of $47,975 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Kansas ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. 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 Kansas generally make around $41,626. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Mississippi State University came in at #25 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Mississippi State, Mississippi State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,286 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Mississippi State University earn a median of $63,904 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Rest of the Top 47 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geological & earth sciences value ranking:
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
This ranking is produced 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 · 47 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 47 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.
