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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Kentucky

[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.

College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geology & earth sciences schools.

What’s on this page:

• Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Kentucky

2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Kentucky

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

1

Murray State University
Murray, KY

$9,900 In-State Tuition & Fees

$23,420 Avg Student Debt

$44,737 Median Earnings (10yr)

Leading the list is Murray State University, our #1 best value for geology & earth sciences in Kentucky. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

2

Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

$11,652 In-State Tuition & Fees

$24,499 Avg Student Debt

$43,889 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Western Kentucky University, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,499. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.

View All Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings >

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 · 6 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.