2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in Massachusetts

[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 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 Massachusetts
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 Salem State University, our #1 best value for geological & earth sciences in Massachusetts. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,176. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $49,656 early in their careers. Set against $27,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Bridgewater State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Bridgewater State University is a large public school located in the suburb of Bridgewater. In-state tuition and fees average $11,734, while out-of-state students pay about $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.
Williams College came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Williamstown, Williams College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 8%.
A rank of #4 makes Massachusetts Institute Of Technology one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,396. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $13,516. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Boston University earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $63,598. Set against $25,232 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Boston University admits about 11% of applicants.
Smith College landed the #7 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Northampton, Smith College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,178 in tuition and fees. 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. Set against $18,941 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 21%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.