2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region
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
Leading the list is University Of Illinois At Chicago, our #1 best value for geological & earth sciences in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $37,280. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $39,692. Set against $16,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $45,974. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor admits about 16% of applicants.
Indiana University Bloomington came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,144, while out-of-state students pay about $41,891. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Set against $20,542 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana University Bloomington admits about 78% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Michigan Technological University one of the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $20,532, with out-of-state students paying around $44,807. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,800. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $64,652. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #6 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $38,867. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences 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, compared with $20,815 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,678. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #8 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $43,068. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #9 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,691 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,500. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $39,321. Set against $25,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee placed #10 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,398 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,398. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $42,932 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,000. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $44,207 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Ohio State University Main Campus ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,244 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Ohio State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University landed the #13 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Students borrow a median of $28,750 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $38,675. Set against $28,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Western Michigan University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Michigan University generally make around $48,966. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Illinois State University earned the #15 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Students from in state pay about $14,410 in tuition and fees, compared with $26,058 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #16 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,637. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University landed the #18 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $29,869. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $39,997. That is a strong return on a $29,869 median debt. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Bowling Green State University Main Campus came in at #19 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,912, compared with $21,900 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,449. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Bowling Green State University Main Campus generally make around $45,196. That is a strong return on a $25,449 median debt. Bowling Green State University Main Campus admits about 81% of applicants.
Miami University Oxford placed #20 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Miami University Oxford is a large public school located in the town of Oxford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,862 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $38,478. Set against $20,862 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 83 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-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.
