2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 28 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 Middle Atlantic 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
Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for geological & earth sciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Maryland College Park one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,186. Students borrow a median of $20,836 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $57,901. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.
A rank of #3 makes Montclair State University one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, while out-of-state students pay about $26,022. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $43,985. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $29,725. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Stony Brook University one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. In-state tuition and fees average $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
Salisbury University earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. Students from in state pay about $11,084 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Salisbury University generally make around $45,476. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $18,500. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz generally make around $40,524. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,275. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,395. Set against $24,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,380 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,297. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $34,617. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #10 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. 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 At Buffalo generally make around $39,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Students borrow a median of $21,065 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $34,658 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #12 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,937. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $41,094 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,937 median debt. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton placed #13 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,691. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $51,766. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Suny At Binghamton admits about 39% of applicants.
Suny College At Cortland landed the #14 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Cortland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, with out-of-state students paying around $18,784. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $38,709. That is a strong return on a $25,369 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #15 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick placed #16 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,830. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $47,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Pennsylvania earned the #18 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Cornell University placed #19 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hamilton College placed #20 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,131. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $48,806. Set against $16,131 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
Susquehanna University placed #21 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $59,850. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $39,097 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $38,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #23 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,644, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $53,908. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College earned the #24 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,931. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. Set against $16,931 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Union College New York earned the #25 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $69,039 in tuition and fees. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,869 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Union College New York generally make around $52,020. Set against $25,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Union College New York admits about 44% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 28 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geological & earth sciences:
Narrow Geological & Earth Sciences Schools by State
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 28 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.
