2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States 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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 32 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 the The Plains States Region
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 University Of Nebraska At Omaha the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in the The Plains States Region. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,718, compared with $23,206 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,923, compared with $17,741 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,875 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,421. Set against $23,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $44,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. Students from in state pay about $10,434 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,386 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,102, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $41,626 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Kansas State University placed #6 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, with out-of-state students paying around $28,568. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,546 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #7 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $34,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia earned the #8 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public school located in the city of Columbia. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, with out-of-state students paying around $36,056. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $53,134. That is a strong return on a $21,818 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $75,838. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology admits about 80% of applicants.
Washington University In St Louis came in at #10 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,553. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $68,303. That is a strong return on a $17,553 median debt. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
University Of Iowa came in at #11 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Set against $24,463 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 32 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
