2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the New England Region

[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for geological & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the New England 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
Bowdoin College tops our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools in the New England Region. Located in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $67,832 in tuition and fees. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,658 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $58,938. Set against $20,658 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 7% of applicants are accepted.
Salem State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,176 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $49,656. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,734, with out-of-state students paying around $17,874. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Bridgewater State University generally make around $48,937. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Bridgewater State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Maine is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Maine is a large public school located in the suburb of Orono. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,326, with out-of-state students paying around $36,756. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,984 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Maine generally make around $47,975. That is a strong return on a $25,984 median debt. University Of Maine admits about 97% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earned it the #5 place for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Students borrow a median of $13,516 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Set against $13,516 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
Williams College landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,560. Students borrow a median of $12,615 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Williams College generally make around $53,652. That is a strong return on a $12,615 median debt. Williams College admits about 8% of applicants.
Eastern Connecticut State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Willimantic, Eastern Connecticut State University is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,928, while out-of-state students pay about $17,426. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Eastern Connecticut State University earn a median of $43,915 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Rhode Island earned the #8 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $37,146. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,432. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $52,821. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Rhode Island admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,195. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $53,666. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Yale University came in at #10 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Students from in state pay about $67,250 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Yale University admits about 4% of applicants.
Boston University landed the #11 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,102. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,232 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Boston University generally make around $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus earned the #12 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Durham. In-state tuition and fees average $19,202, compared with $39,852 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,368. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $52,064. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Brown University landed the #13 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $62,820. That is a strong return on a $13,025 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Connecticut ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,637. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Set against $23,637 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Connecticut admits about 52% of applicants.
Smith College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,178. Students borrow a median of $18,941 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Smith College earn a median of $40,436 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,941 median debt. The acceptance rate is 21%.
Bates College landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $66,590. Students borrow a median of $12,226 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Bates College generally make around $43,933. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 13%.
Dartmouth College placed #17 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $68,019. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,989. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $81,992. That is a strong return on a $16,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
Southern New Hampshire University placed #18 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Southern New Hampshire University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Manchester. Students from in state pay about $17,200 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $31,349 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Southern New Hampshire University earn a median of $45,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.