2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
[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 40 schools to find the best return on investment for geological & earth sciences students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast 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
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,420. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #3. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,212. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,340. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #6 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #8 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Western Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Arkansas Fort Smith ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Fort Smith, University Of Arkansas Fort Smith is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,334, while out-of-state students pay about $12,182. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,333. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Arkansas Fort Smith earn a median of $39,204 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Florida Gulf Coast University earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fort Myers, Florida Gulf Coast University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,118, with out-of-state students paying around $25,162. Students borrow a median of $20,015 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $50,726. Set against $20,015 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Gulf Coast University admits about 63% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #13 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Martin, The University Of Tennessee Martin is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,560 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,600 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,770 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Tennessee Martin earn a median of $40,400 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of West Georgia placed #14 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. University Of West Georgia is a large public school located in the town of Carrollton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,088, compared with $17,800 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,500. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $33,344. That is a strong return on a $25,500 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of New Orleans earned the #15 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of New Orleans, University Of New Orleans is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $9,172 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,048. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,720. Set against $23,048 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Middle Tennessee State University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,266, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $31,256. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Middle Tennessee State University admits about 69% of applicants.
Tennessee Technological University earned the #17 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Cookeville, Tennessee Technological University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,376, with out-of-state students paying around $15,576. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $17,580. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $46,981. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Southern University earned the #18 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Georgia Southern University is a very large public school located in the town of Statesboro. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,022, compared with $17,734 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $45,531. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Southern University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #19 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $37,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #20 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Columbus State University came in at #21 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Columbus State University admits about 99% of applicants.
Old Dominion University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #23 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $22,234. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,234 median debt. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Appalachian State University came in at #24 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,853 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $35,021. Set against $22,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,301. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $45,444. That is a strong return on a $21,301 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 40 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geological & earth sciences value ranking:
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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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 40 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.
