2026 Best Value Geochemistry Schools in the Far Western Region
[Geochemistry](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geochemistry/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geochemistry education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geochemistry schools.
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2026 Best Value Geochemistry Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geochemistry, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geochemistry Schools
University Of California San Diego tops our 2026 list of the best value geochemistry schools in the Far Western Region. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the geochemistry program here. Geochemistry graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $60,797 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geochemistry schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for geochemistry graduates is $16,097. Geochemistry graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geochemistry, landing the #3 spot this year. California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,898. Soon after graduation, geochemistry degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. The acceptance rate is 3%.
Students looking for strong value in geochemistry will find it at Whitman College, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Walla Walla, Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $64,050 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geochemistry graduates is $17,518. Early-career geochemistry graduates make about $32,345. Set against $17,518 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
