2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 136 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
California State University Fullerton tops our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools in the Far Western Region. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. Set against $15,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Long Beach came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. 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. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned it the #4 place for geology & earth sciences. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. Students from in state pay about $10,083 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Alaska Fairbanks generally make around $50,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Nevada Las Vegas one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,298. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Las Vegas earn a median of $41,963 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Stanford University landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences 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%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,406 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,101. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, while out-of-state students pay about $43,155. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $29,724. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine came in at #10 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, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $38,804. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.
University Of California Merced came in at #11 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, with out-of-state students paying around $46,541. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $18,318. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #12 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,577. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,181. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Eastern Washington University placed #13 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,754. Geology & Earth Sciences 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #14 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,125 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $37,831. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #15 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Humboldt State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, while out-of-state students pay about $20,997. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,526. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,476 early in their careers. Set against $20,526 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Sonoma State University landed the #17 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $51,140. Set against $18,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #18 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,097. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. The acceptance rate is 9%.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #19 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $30,759. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside landed the #20 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,636, compared with $46,524 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,187 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $22,998. That is a strong return on a $19,187 median debt. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Washington State University landed the #21 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Students borrow a median of $22,905 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $33,178 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,905 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Davis came in at #22 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $16,416 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $43,462. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Central Washington University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Central Washington University is a very large public school located in the town of Ellensburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,417, with out-of-state students paying around $27,526. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,988. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,178. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Central Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,553. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #25 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $43,362. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Rest of the Top 30 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geology & earth sciences this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 136 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 25 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.
