College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region

9 Colleges in the United States
$23,730 Avg Student Debt
$61,758 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Badge [Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geological & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geological & earth sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

2027 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

1

Fort Hays State University earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in the The Plains States Region. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Fort Hays State University admits about 90% of applicants.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned it the #2 place for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $44,825. Set against $21,700 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

3

A rank of #3 makes Winona State University one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Winona, Winona State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,576 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,308. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Winona State University generally make around $36,984. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.

4

Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $28,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

5
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of Kansas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $41,626. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

6

University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.

7
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,283, with out-of-state students paying around $33,371. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,463. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $57,375. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. University Of Iowa admits about 84% of applicants.

8
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College came in at #8 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $68,892 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,371. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 20% of applicants are accepted.

9
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College came in at #9 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,104. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,517. Set against $22,147 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 28% of applicants are accepted.

Narrow Geological & Earth Sciences Schools by State

View All Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings >

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 · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options