by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geophysics & Seismology](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geophysics-and-seismology/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geophysics & seismology schools.
What’s on this page:
The geophysics & seismology program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geophysics & seismology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Stanford University tops our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools in the United States. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $100,827. That is a strong return on a $10,492 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,676. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $79,645 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,101 median debt. University Of California San Diego admits about 27% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $49,446 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Alaska Fairbanks earned it the #5 place for geophysics & seismology. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,083, compared with $25,892 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Alaska Fairbanks earn a median of $50,963 early in their careers. Set against $23,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
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University Of Wyoming placed #6 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $45,758. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #7 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $20,500. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #8 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $21,800. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $45,488. That is a strong return on a $21,800 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $16,097. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Set against $16,097 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Houston ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. University Of Houston is a very large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $89,896. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside placed #11 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Students from in state pay about $14,636 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of $22,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan Technological University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,532 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $25,800. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $64,652. That is a strong return on a $25,800 median debt. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #13 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, while out-of-state students pay about $27,720. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,553. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #14 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $49,045. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Akron Main Campus admits about 60% of applicants.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $50,993. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #16 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $29,250. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $86,497. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #17 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $46,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Western Washington University placed #18 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $26,158. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $36,802 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,158 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo placed #19 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, with out-of-state students paying around $19,569. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $24,275. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $27,395. Set against $24,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny At Geneseo admits about 66% of applicants.
California Institute Of Technology placed #20 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,898. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Roughly 3% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University landed the #21 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Western Michigan University is a large public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Western Michigan University earn a median of $48,966 early in their careers. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $16,487 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,062 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,487 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $62,396 in tuition and fees. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $113,129. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Boise State University earned the #24 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $27,788. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $27,299. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Boise State University generally make around $31,701. That is a strong return on a $27,299 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #25 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geophysics & seismology:
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Explore other best-value rankings in majors related to Geophysics & Seismology. See all related rankings.
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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 12 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
