2027 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.
College Factual analyzed 158 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geology & earth sciences schools.
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2027 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
Our analysis ranked Cuny Brooklyn College the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in the United States. Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public school located in the city of Brooklyn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,452, with out-of-state students paying around $15,402. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Cuny Brooklyn College generally make around $40,843. That is a strong return on a $13,303 median debt. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
California State University San Bernardino came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of San Bernardino, California State University San Bernardino is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,088, compared with $20,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,149. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University San Bernardino earn a median of $42,421 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University San Bernardino admits about 94% of applicants.
California State University Northridge came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,202 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $48,437. Set against $16,202 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
California State University Fullerton is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $35,509. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida earned it the #5 place for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Florida Online ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $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. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento earned the #7 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, compared with $19,836 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,420. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
California State University Long Beach placed #10 among 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. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $15,732. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $51,087. That is a strong return on a $15,732 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Florida International University landed the #11 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, compared with $18,964 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,349. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida International University earn a median of $52,517 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #12 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,375. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,406. That is a strong return on a $19,375 median debt. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #13 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California San Diego placed #14 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,788 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,676 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,101. Geology & 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. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #15 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $24,125. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $37,831. That is a strong return on a $24,125 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Stanford University landed the #16 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $10,492. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced landed the #18 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,318 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Houston Downtown landed the #19 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,582 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,434 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $20,250. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston Downtown earn a median of $50,894 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #20 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Chicago earn a median of $37,280 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #21 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $16,298. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,963. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Nevada Las Vegas admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Berkeley placed #22 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,377 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,265. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Set against $14,238 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 11% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #23 on our 2027 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. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. 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. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At El Paso ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of El Paso, The University Of Texas At El Paso is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,544, compared with $25,502 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $19,819. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At El Paso earn a median of $48,335 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,819 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $17,875. Soon after graduation, geology & 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.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geology & earth sciences this year:
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
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 158 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 158 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.
