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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Indiana

[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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 11 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Indiana

2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Indiana

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

1

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

$9,992 In-State Tuition & Fees

$16,000 Avg Student Debt

$72,424 Median Earnings (10yr)

For return on investment in geology & earth sciences, no school beat Purdue University Main Campus this year. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,692 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants.

2

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

$12,144 In-State Tuition & Fees

$20,542 Avg Student Debt

$63,742 Median Earnings (10yr)

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Indiana University Bloomington earned it the #2 place for geology & earth sciences. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.

View All Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published 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 · 11 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 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.