2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in Pennsylvania

[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 11 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 Pennsylvania
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Leading the list is Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania, our #1 best value for geological & earth sciences in Pennsylvania. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Students from in state pay about $11,046 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,870. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $29,725. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $43,112. Set against $29,725 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $34,617 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #4 place for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $28,040. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania admits about 91% of applicants.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Pennsylvania came in at #6 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. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pennsylvania admits about 5% of applicants.
Susquehanna University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Selinsgrove, Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $59,850 in tuition and fees. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Susquehanna University earn a median of $39,097 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $38,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #9 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. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $53,908 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lafayette College landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $64,648. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,931 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Lafayette College generally make around $59,513. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University came in at #11 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,707 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 26%.
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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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.