2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in New York
[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 13 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 New York
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 earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in New York. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, compared with $32,741 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,537. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at State University Of New York At New Paltz earned it the #3 place for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, compared with $18,822 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,524. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. State University Of New York At New Paltz admits about 62% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Geneseo earned it the #4 place for geological & earth sciences. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,275 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,395. That is a strong return on a $24,275 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
University At Buffalo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,936, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $39,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York placed #6 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,065. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $34,658 early in their careers. Set against $21,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Suny At Binghamton placed #7 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,691. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Set against $20,691 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Suny College At Cortland came in at #8 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, while out-of-state students pay about $18,784. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $38,709. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Cornell University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,005. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cornell University admits about 9% of applicants.
Hamilton College came in at #10 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $68,960. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,131. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,806. That is a strong return on a $16,131 median debt. Hamilton College admits about 14% of applicants.
Union College New York earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Schenectady. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,039. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,869 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Union College New York earn a median of $52,020 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University earned the #12 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Syracuse. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,130. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Vassar College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Vassar College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Poughkeepsie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,030. Students borrow a median of $18,486 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Vassar College earn a median of $37,412 early in their careers. Set against $18,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 19%.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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.
