2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast 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.
College Factual analyzed 75 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 Southeast Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geology & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Our analysis ranked University Of Florida the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in the Southeast Region. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,565. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
University Of Florida Online came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,349. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
Florida State University came in at #6 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University came in at #8 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,499 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Columbus State University came in at #9 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $5,898 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,610 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,493 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. Set against $28,493 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Carolina University placed #10 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. That is a strong return on a $24,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Georgia ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
West Virginia University placed #12 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Middle Tennessee State University landed the #13 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,266, with out-of-state students paying around $31,574. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $31,256 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Middle Tennessee State University earn a median of $34,329 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Memphis came in at #14 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Students borrow a median of $26,315 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,998, while out-of-state students pay about $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $52,338. Set against $25,415 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,897. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $37,717 early in their careers. Set against $24,897 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.
Mississippi State University landed the #17 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, while out-of-state students pay about $27,637. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,286. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Mississippi State University generally make around $53,101. That is a strong return on a $26,286 median debt. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
East Tennessee State University landed the #18 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Johnson City, East Tennessee State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, with out-of-state students paying around $13,726. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. Set against $21,301 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Appalachian State University landed the #19 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,579, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,853 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Appalachian State University generally make around $35,021. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #20 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. In-state tuition and fees average $7,361, with out-of-state students paying around $23,638. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,961. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia State University landed the #21 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $46,337 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #22 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $38,871 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Vanderbilt University placed #23 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Nashville. In-state tuition and fees average $67,498. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. That is a strong return on a $13,975 median debt. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University came in at #24 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $63,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #25 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, with out-of-state students paying around $33,256. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $30,101. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Tennessee admits about 42% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 34 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. 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 · 75 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 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.
