2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong geology & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 27 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geology & earth sciences students.
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2027 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geology & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College earned the #1 spot for value among geology & earth sciences schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. 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. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $57,901. Set against $20,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $43,985. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,046, with out-of-state students paying around $22,870. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $29,725 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $43,112 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania admits about 93% of applicants.
Stony Brook University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Stony Brook University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Stony Brook. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, while out-of-state students pay about $32,741. Students borrow a median of $20,537 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Stony Brook University earn a median of $60,047 early in their careers. Set against $20,537 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 49% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #6 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of State University Of New York At New Paltz earn a median of $40,524 early in their careers. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 62% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,275 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,395. Set against $24,275 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,380, with out-of-state students paying around $16,297. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,513 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus earn a median of $34,617 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,513 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University At Buffalo earned the #9 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $39,696. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #10 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $70,517. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,065 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Columbia University In The City Of New York generally make around $34,658. Set against $21,065 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Columbia University In The City Of New York admits about 4% of applicants.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania landed the #11 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $10,568 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,937 in student loans. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $41,094. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #12 spot for geology & earth sciences value this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Students from in state pay about $10,567 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Students borrow a median of $20,691 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $51,766. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Kutztown. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $28,040. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Cortland placed #14 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the town of Cortland, Suny College At Cortland is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,874, compared with $18,784 for out-of-state students. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,369 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Cortland generally make around $38,709. Set against $25,369 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Suny College At Cortland admits about 60% of applicants.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #15 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $47,045. That is a strong return on a $24,830 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania earned the #16 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $61,258. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #17 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $68,686. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Cornell University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Ithaca. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Cornell University earn a median of $75,976 early in their careers. Set against $15,005 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Hamilton College came in at #19 for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Clinton, Hamilton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,960. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,131 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Hamilton College earn a median of $48,806 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Susquehanna University placed #20 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Susquehanna University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Selinsgrove. Students from in state pay about $59,850 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Susquehanna University generally make around $39,097. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #21 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $38,652. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $26,000. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $53,908 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Lafayette College earned the #23 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Easton, Lafayette College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,648. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete the geology & earth sciences program here. Early-career geology & earth sciences graduates make about $59,513. That is a strong return on a $16,931 median debt. Roughly 31% of applicants are accepted.
Union College New York placed #24 among the best values for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $69,039 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geology & earth sciences graduates is $25,869. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Union College New York earn a median of $52,020 early in their careers. Set against $25,869 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 44% of applicants are accepted.
Lehigh University earned the #25 position for value in geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,980. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,707 in student loans. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of $70,321 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 26%.
Rest of the Top 27 Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geology & earth sciences this year:
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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 · 27 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 27 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.
