2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

1

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in the United States. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. That is a strong return on a $15,125 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.

2

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

A rank of #2 makes Cuny Brooklyn College one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $13,303. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Cuny Brooklyn College admits about 58% of applicants.

3

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.

4

Brigham Young University Idaho
Rexburg, ID

Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Brigham Young University Idaho, which ranked #4. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.

5

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,671. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Set against $15,671 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Florida Online
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida Online landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,579. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.

7

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. 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. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,565. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.

9

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #9 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento earned the #10 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.

11

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #11 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.

12

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.

13

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #13 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,406 early in their careers. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

14

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego earned the #14 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. In-state tuition and fees average $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences 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.

15

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University placed #15 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

16

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.

17

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas landed the #17 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,748, while out-of-state students pay about $27,411. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,298. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $41,963. Set against $16,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.

18

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks landed the #18 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public school located in the city of Fairbanks. In-state tuition and fees average $10,083, with out-of-state students paying around $25,892. Students borrow a median of $23,439 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $50,963. That is a strong return on a $23,439 median debt.

19

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #19 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

20

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.

21

Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT

Southern Utah University landed the #21 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, compared with $21,192 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $12,886. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $44,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.

22

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #22 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

23

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned the #23 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,779. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming landed the #24 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. 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. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wyoming earn a median of $45,758 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 97%.

25

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced placed #25 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Set against $18,318 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.