by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geological & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 36 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geological & earth sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in Pennsylvania. Located in the town of Bloomsburg, Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,416. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Students borrow a median of $27,937 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $41,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earned it the #3 place for geological & earth sciences. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,486. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $47,049. Set against $26,486 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,330 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $28,040. Set against $26,334 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at West Chester University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #5. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,775, while out-of-state students pay about $22,599. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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University Of Pennsylvania ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,155. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus came in at #7 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $38,652. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,435 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lehigh University placed #9 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,980. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $70,321. Set against $19,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
This ranking is produced 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 · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.