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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Ohio

8 Colleges in the United States
$24,473 Avg Student Debt
$51,064 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Badge [Geology & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geology-and-earth-sciences/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

College Factual analyzed 30 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geology & earth sciences schools.

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2026 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in Ohio

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geology & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.

Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

1

University Of Akron Main Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools in Ohio. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,135, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $39,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 60%.

2

Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $39,321. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Ohio State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,156. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.

4

Students looking for strong value in geology & earth sciences will find it at Kent State University At Kent, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $40,005. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

5

Ohio University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,637. Set against $19,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 85%.

6

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,912 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,900. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,449. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn a median of $45,196 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.

7

Miami University Oxford ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,862 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $38,478. Set against $20,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 30 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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