2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Illinois

[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 5 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 Illinois
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 University Of Illinois At Chicago the best value for a degree in geology & earth sciences in Illinois. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $37,280. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Northern Illinois University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. The acceptance rate is 70%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $38,867. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #4 makes Illinois State University one of the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Augustana College Illinois earned it the #5 place for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $51,598. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,764 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 63% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.