2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Leading the list is Cuny Brooklyn College, our #1 best value for geology & earth sciences in the United States. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

2

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $35,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Florida, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Set against $24,757 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

4

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $50,982. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.

6

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,876, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.

7

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #7 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,420. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #8 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.

9

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

10

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University came in at #10 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 4% of applicants are accepted.

11

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, while out-of-state students pay about $18,964. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.

12

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,406 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

13

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #13 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,488. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

14

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #14 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $79,645. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.

15

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #15 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #16 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,439. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

17

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #17 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,298 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,298 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.

18

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus earned the #18 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Bothell. Students from in state pay about $12,919 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.

19

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #19 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.

20

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University earned the #20 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,886 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.

21

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #21 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences 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 University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.

22

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #22 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.

23

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced earned the #23 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

24

University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #24 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

25

University Of Nebraska At Omaha
Omaha, NE

University Of Nebraska At Omaha ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, with out-of-state students paying around $23,206. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,906. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.