2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-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.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 553 schools to find the best return on investment for geology & earth sciences students.
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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools in the United States. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, compared with $15,402 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $13,303. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, compared with $20,070 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,125 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Florida came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,800. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $50,982 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online earned the #6 position for value in geology & earth sciences 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. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida Online earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
Stanford University placed #7 among the best values for geology & 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. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $10,492. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Murray State University landed the #8 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,423. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento came in at #9 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,907. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida International University placed #11 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $79,645. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $19,375 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State Polytechnic University Pomona generally make around $49,406. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida State University came in at #14 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. 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, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Set against $20,488 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of California Irvine came in at #15 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Students from in state pay about $14,752 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $46,640. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,000. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $38,804 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 29%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,411. Students borrow a median of $16,298 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & 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.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Geology & 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Southern Utah University placed #18 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. In-state tuition and fees average $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $12,886. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wyoming ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $45,758. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public school located in the city of San Antonio. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & 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.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #21 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,117. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of California Merced landed the #22 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,653, while out-of-state students pay about $46,541. Students borrow a median of $18,318 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Merced admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Utah came in at #23 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,446. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Nebraska At Omaha placed #24 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Omaha, University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,718, while out-of-state students pay about $23,206. Students borrow a median of $21,783 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. That is a strong return on a $21,783 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #25 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. In-state tuition and fees average $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,577 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geology & earth sciences value ranking:
Other Geology & Earth Sciences Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geology & earth sciences schools at other degree levels:
View All Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 553 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 128 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
