2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences-geosciences-other/) 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 26 schools to find the best return on investment for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences students.
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2026 Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools
Leading the list is Salisbury University, our #1 best value for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences in the Middle Atlantic Region. Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salisbury. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, compared with $22,174 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,545 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $45,476. That is a strong return on a $23,545 median debt. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Towson University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,728 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,820. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University At Buffalo one of the best values for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates is $23,250. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $39,696. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences will find it at University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus, which ranked #4. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $38,652. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $68,686 in tuition and fees. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, other geological & earth sciences/geosciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value other geological & earth sciences/geosciences schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,314. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Early-career other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #7 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, compared with $41,790 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University came in at #8 for value in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $19,707 to complete the other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program here. Other Geological & Earth Sciences/geosciences graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,707 median debt. Lehigh University admits about 26% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.