2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Utah
[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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 10 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Utah
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked Southern Utah University the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in Utah. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. 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. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah State University earned it the #2 place for geology & earth sciences. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Utah State University generally make around $50,348. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
