2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geophysics & Seismology](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/geophysics-and-seismology/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 45 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geophysics & seismology schools.
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2026 Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geophysics & seismology, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geophysics & Seismology Schools
For return on investment in geophysics & seismology, no school beat Stanford University this year. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,910. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 4%.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California San Diego one of the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $17,101. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California San Diego generally make around $60,797. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Utah one of the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $49,446. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in geophysics & seismology will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #4. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wyoming earned it the #5 place for geophysics & seismology. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $45,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #6 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #7 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $21,800. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $45,488. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
University Of Houston earned the #9 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $89,896. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of California Riverside ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,636, while out-of-state students pay about $46,524. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California Riverside generally make around $22,998. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Reno earned the #11 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. Students from in state pay about $9,578 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $23,250. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno generally make around $39,553. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. University Of Nevada Reno admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus landed the #12 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,135 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,815. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $49,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #13 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $25,000. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #14 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. In-state tuition and fees average $9,797, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $29,250. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $86,497 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Western Washington University came in at #15 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,582 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $26,158. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $36,802. That is a strong return on a $26,158 median debt. Western Washington University admits about 93% of applicants.
Suny At Geneseo landed the #16 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Geneseo. In-state tuition and fees average $8,999, compared with $19,569 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $24,275 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Suny At Geneseo generally make around $27,395. That is a strong return on a $24,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Missouri State University Springfield placed #17 among the best values for geophysics & seismology. Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public school located in the city of Springfield. In-state tuition and fees average $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $28,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University earned the #18 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,987 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $27,981. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $48,966. Set against $27,981 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin earned the #19 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $42,062. That is a strong return on a $16,487 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Boise State University came in at #20 for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,048 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,788 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,299 to complete the geophysics & seismology program here. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $31,701 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #22 position for value in geophysics & seismology this year. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $20,837 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $44,585. Set against $20,837 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Boulder landed the #23 spot for geophysics & seismology value this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Geophysics & Seismology graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $46,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Brown University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value geophysics & seismology schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,312. Typical student debt for geophysics & seismology graduates is $13,025. Early-career geophysics & seismology graduates make about $62,820. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 5% of applicants are accepted.
Other Geophysics & Seismology Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geophysics & seismology schools at other degree levels:
View All Geophysics & Seismology Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 45 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 11 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.
