2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

1

Cuny Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY

Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,303 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,843. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.

2

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.

3

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #3. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $8,018 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. 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. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

4

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stanford University earned it the #4 place for geological & earth sciences. 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. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 4%.

5

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,488. 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.

6

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $38,804 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Irvine admits about 29% of applicants.

7

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.

8

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego placed #8 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,788, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. 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. The acceptance rate is 27%.

9

University Of Alaska Fairbanks
Fairbanks, AK

University Of Alaska Fairbanks placed #9 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Fairbanks, University Of Alaska Fairbanks is a large public institution. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

10

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus came in at #10 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, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

11

The University Of Texas At San Antonio
San Antonio, TX

The University Of Texas At San Antonio placed #11 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,779. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.

12

University Of Wyoming
Laramie, WY

University Of Wyoming earned the #12 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

13

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #13 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $29,724. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

14

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,186, while out-of-state students pay about $34,218. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,577. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.

15

Utah State University
Logan, UT

Utah State University came in at #15 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,191. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.

16

Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus earned the #16 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $39,692. That is a strong return on a $16,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 50%.

17

University Of Houston
Houston, TX

University Of Houston landed the #17 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. Geological & Earth Sciences 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. The acceptance rate is 74%.

18

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV

West Virginia University earned the #18 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,250. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #19 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.

20

Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN

Indiana University Bloomington landed the #20 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,144 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,542. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.

21

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi earned the #21 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Hattiesburg, University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,998 in tuition and fees, compared with $11,998 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,415 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Southern Mississippi generally make around $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 99%.

22

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno earned the #22 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.

23

Stephen F Austin State University
Nacogdoches, TX

Stephen F Austin State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,759. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.

24

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #24 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $43,068. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

25

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz earned the #25 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,035, while out-of-state students pay about $46,923. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,833. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $43,362 early in their careers. Set against $20,833 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.