2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 81 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geology & earth sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,692. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned it the #3 place for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,974. Set against $17,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 16%.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Indiana University Bloomington, which ranked #4. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. That is a strong return on a $20,542 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Michigan Technological University, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $44,807 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Set against $25,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan Technological University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #6 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $38,867. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #7 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,678. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #8 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $43,068. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $39,321. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $42,932. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, compared with $19,228 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $44,207. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #12 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,156. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $28,750. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $38,675 early in their careers. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Illinois State University came in at #15 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $21,896. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Set against $21,896 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,637. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #17 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $40,005. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #18 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,869 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of $39,997 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the town of Bowling Green. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,912, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford landed the #20 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. In-state tuition and fees average $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,862 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $38,478 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,862 median debt. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% 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 · 81 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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.
