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2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
For return on investment in geological & earth sciences, no school beat University Of Nebraska At Omaha this year. Located in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,783 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska At Omaha earn a median of $48,906 early in their careers. Set against $21,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Nebraska At Omaha admits about 87% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #2. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,923, with out-of-state students paying around $17,741. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,421. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $44,825. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, with out-of-state students paying around $28,584. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $22,386. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn a median of $49,755 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,386 median debt. University Of Nebraska Lincoln admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Kansas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $41,626. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Kansas admits about 94% of applicants.
ADBLOCK #101
Kansas State University earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Manhattan, Kansas State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,221, compared with $28,568 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $51,543. That is a strong return on a $23,546 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #7 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $28,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $34,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,818. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Set against $21,818 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology came in at #9 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Rapid City, South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,500 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,900 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $75,838. That is a strong return on a $26,668 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Washington University In St Louis landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $65,790. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,553 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Set against $17,553 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Washington University In St Louis admits about 12% of applicants.
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
