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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the Southwest Region

3 Colleges in the United States
$23,315 Avg Student Debt
$66,027 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Badge [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.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geophysics & seismology students.

What’s on this page:

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2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the Southwest Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geophysics & seismology, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools

1

University Of Houston tops our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $89,896 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Oklahoma State University Main Campus earned it the #2 place for geophysics & seismology. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oklahoma State University Main Campus admits about 75% of applicants.

3

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geophysics & seismology, landing the #3 spot 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, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $86,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At Austin earned it the #4 place for geophysics & seismology. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,062 early in their careers. Set against $16,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.

5

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $20,837 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $57,562 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,837 median debt. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 9 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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