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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in North Carolina
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
For return on investment in geology & earth sciences, no school beat University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,117. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 15%.
A rank of #2 makes Western Carolina University one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,630, while out-of-state students pay about $8,630. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,174. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,926. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $37,717. That is a strong return on a $24,897 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Appalachian State University earned it the #4 place for geology & earth sciences. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,579, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,853 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $35,021. Set against $22,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Appalachian State University admits about 90% of applicants.
East Carolina University came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. East Carolina University is a very large public school located in the city of Greenville. Students from in state pay about $7,361 in tuition and fees, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $44,961 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
ADBLOCK #101
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $38,871. That is a strong return on a $22,234 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington placed #7 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,277, while out-of-state students pay about $24,152. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $38,459. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington admits about 64% of applicants.
[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.
