2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 20 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 the Southwest 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
El Paso Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of El Paso, El Paso Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,274, compared with $5,314 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $8,542 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $29,086. Set against $8,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At El Paso came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,544, while out-of-state students pay about $25,502. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,819 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At El Paso generally make around $48,335. Set against $19,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,250. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $50,894 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at The University Of Texas At San Antonio, which ranked #4. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,779. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
A rank of #5 makes The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,607, with out-of-state students paying around $21,900. Students borrow a median of $20,052 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin earn a median of $60,503 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Arlington came in at #6 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Arlington, The University Of Texas At Arlington is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,950, with out-of-state students paying around $29,582. Students borrow a median of $27,931 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,788. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of Houston earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $89,896. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $42,528. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,842 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,876 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University Corpus Christi placed #10 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Corpus Christi, Texas A And M University Corpus Christi is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $20,794. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,508 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University Corpus Christi earn a median of $47,130 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,508 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $29,250. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $86,497. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona placed #12 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $51,943 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #13 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,140, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,983. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Oklahoma State University Main Campus generally make around $50,993. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University placed #15 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,228 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $46,365. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Dallas generally make around $65,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #17 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,852 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,750. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,727. Set against $25,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #18 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,062. That is a strong return on a $16,487 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #19 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $57,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,837 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
Baylor University landed the #20 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Waco, Baylor University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,100. Students borrow a median of $23,928 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Baylor University earn a median of $49,888 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,928 median debt. Roughly 51% 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 · 20 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 20 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.
