2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-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 597 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geological & earth sciences schools.
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2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geological & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
California State University Fullerton earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in the United States. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $15,125. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $35,509 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Brooklyn College earned it the #2 place for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,452, while out-of-state students pay about $15,402. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,303 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,843. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Florida one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $40,691 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #4 place for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $50,982. That is a strong return on a $15,671 median debt. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of Florida Online came in at #6 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Gainesville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,757. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $40,691. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Stanford University landed the #7 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $10,492. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $100,827. Set against $10,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants.
Murray State University landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
California State University Sacramento placed #9 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #10 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. Set against $24,002 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of South Florida Main Campus admits about 43% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #11 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,212. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. Set against $20,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Florida International University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Miami, Florida International University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,349 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Set against $19,349 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida International University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of California San Diego landed the #13 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. 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 geological & earth sciences graduates is $17,101. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $79,645. Set against $17,101 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona came in at #14 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, compared with $20,381 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,406. Set against $19,375 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%.
Florida State University earned the #15 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $51,884 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Irvine placed #16 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas came in at #17 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a very large public institution. 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 geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,298. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas generally make around $41,963. Set against $16,298 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus placed #18 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,919, compared with $43,155 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $29,724. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. University Of Washington Bothell Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Southern Utah University placed #19 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Cedar City, Southern Utah University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,962, while out-of-state students pay about $21,192. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $12,886. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Southern Utah University generally make around $44,998. That is a strong return on a $12,886 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wyoming landed the #20 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,768, compared with $24,178 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,700 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill landed the #21 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $61,361. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #22 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,326 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Students borrow a median of $18,969 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $42,779. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #23 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Merced landed the #24 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,653, compared with $46,541 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $18,318. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Merced earn a median of $42,071 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Utah came in at #25 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geological & earth sciences this year:
Other Geological & Earth Sciences Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geological & Earth Sciences rankings across degree levels:
View All Geological & Earth Sciences 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 · 597 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 144 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.
