2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

Our analysis ranked California State University Fullerton the best value for a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences in the United States. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

3

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

4

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $50,982. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

5

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Set in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

6

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #6 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $19,375. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,427 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.

7

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $49,340. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.

8

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #8 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.

9

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $24,323. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

10

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #10 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $20,798. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $49,446. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

11

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #11 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,779. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.

12

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #12 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,748, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $16,298. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $41,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

13

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #13 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $45,758. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #14 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

15

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $16,097. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

16

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $18,031. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $51,140. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sonoma State University admits about 93% of applicants.

17

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Students borrow a median of $21,754 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

18

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University earned the #18 position for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,652 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $24,499. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.

19

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University placed #19 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $24,125. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $47,717. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 91%.

20

Columbus State University
Columbus, GA

Columbus State University came in at #20 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Columbus State University generally make around $51,154. Set against $28,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.

21

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #21 spot for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences value this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,161 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $48,489. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 31%.

22

Michigan Technological University
Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #22 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.

23

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University placed #23 among the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $57,461. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.

25

Central Washington University
Ellensburg, WA

Central Washington University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Set in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,417, while out-of-state students pay about $27,526. Students borrow a median of $21,988 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Central Washington University generally make around $44,178. Set against $21,988 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.