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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Arizona

[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 17 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 Arizona

2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Arizona

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

1

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ

$12,619 In-State Tuition & Fees

$22,000 Avg Student Debt

$54,384 Median Earnings (10yr)

Northern Arizona University tops our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools in Arizona. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $22,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $42,528. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of Arizona
Tucson, AZ

$13,573 In-State Tuition & Fees

$26,000 Avg Student Debt

$59,979 Median Earnings (10yr)

Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Arizona, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $51,943. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

View All Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings >

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 · 17 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.