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2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geological & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for geological & earth sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $37,280. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,692. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $45,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,800. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
ADBLOCK #101
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $38,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,068. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,500. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $39,321. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $42,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-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.
