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2026 Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Master’s Degree Schools

[Geological & Geophysical Engineering](/majors/engineering/geoscience-engineering/geological-geophysical-engineering/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 23 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geological & geophysical engineering students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Master’s Degree Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools
• Other Degree Levels

2026 Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geological & geophysical engineering degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools

1

Missouri University Of Science And Technology
Rolla, MO

$14,984 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,500 Avg Student Debt

$82,957 Median Earnings (10yr)

Missouri University Of Science And Technology tops our 2026 list of the best value geological & geophysical engineering schools in the United States. Located in the town of Rolla, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,984, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & geophysical engineering graduates is $20,500. Geological & Geophysical Engineering graduates of Missouri University Of Science And Technology earn a median of $83,636 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

2

Colorado School Of Mines
Golden, CO

$21,914 In-State Tuition & Fees

$27,000 Avg Student Debt

$97,335 Median Earnings (10yr)

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & geophysical engineering schools. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & geophysical engineering graduates is $27,000. Geological & Geophysical Engineering graduates of Colorado School Of Mines earn a median of $81,719 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

Other Geological & Geophysical Engineering Degree Levels

Explore the best-value geological & geophysical engineering schools at other degree levels:

View All Geological & Geophysical Engineering Rankings >

Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 23 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.