by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in geology & earth sciences, no school beat Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania this year. Set in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $52,416 ten years out. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, compared with $14,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,937 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $41,094 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,486. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $28,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Students from in state pay about $10,775 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Pennsylvania earned the #6 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Set against $16,155 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #7 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $38,652 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lehigh University came in at #9 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,707. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Set against $19,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 26%.
This ranking is produced 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 · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.