2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Cuny Brooklyn College tops our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny Brooklyn College is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,452 in tuition and fees, 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. Set against $13,303 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 58%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Montclair State University earned it the #2 place for geological & earth sciences. Montclair State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Montclair. Students from in state pay about $15,912 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,022. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Montclair State University generally make around $43,985. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Montclair State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Kean University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, compared with $22,446 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Kean University earn a median of $50,645 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Towson University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,241 median debt. The acceptance rate is 82%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Delaware earned it the #5 place for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Newark, University Of Delaware is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,861. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Delaware admits about 71% of applicants.
Salisbury University landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,545. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $45,476 early in their careers. Set against $23,545 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.
Johns Hopkins University came in at #7 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. In-state tuition and fees average $64,730. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 6% of applicants are accepted.
Suny College At Oswego placed #8 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Oswego, Suny College At Oswego is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,825 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,735. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Oswego generally make around $41,899. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
State University Of New York At New Paltz earned the #9 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of New Paltz, State University Of New York At New Paltz is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,572, while out-of-state students pay about $18,822. Students borrow a median of $18,500 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,524. Set against $18,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 62%.
Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Commonwealth University Of Pennsylvania is a large public school located in the town of Bloomsburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,046, compared with $22,870 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $52,416 ten years after entry. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Suny At Geneseo placed #11 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a mid-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $8,999 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,569. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,275 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Suny At Geneseo earn a median of $27,395 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,275 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Columbia University In The City Of New York came in at #12 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Columbia University In The City Of New York is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,517. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,065. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbia University In The City Of New York earn a median of $34,658 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,065 median debt. The acceptance rate is 4%.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania placed #13 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,568, while out-of-state students pay about $14,676. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $27,937. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $41,094. Set against $27,937 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University At Buffalo ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,936, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $39,696 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 74% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton placed #15 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,691. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Suny At Binghamton generally make around $51,766. That is a strong return on a $20,691 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #16 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Millersville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,486 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Millersville University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $47,049 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,486 median debt. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania came in at #17 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,206, with out-of-state students paying around $16,330. Students borrow a median of $26,334 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $28,040. That is a strong return on a $26,334 median debt. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #18 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,929, compared with $37,441 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $47,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #19 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,775, compared with $22,599 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $61,258 ten years out. The acceptance rate is 78%.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earned the #20 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & 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. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Pennsylvania placed #21 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $16,155. Soon after graduation, geological & 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 placed #22 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell University is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Students borrow a median of $15,005 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $75,976. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #23 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $20,644, with out-of-state students paying around $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
Lehigh University earned the #24 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Lehigh University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Bethlehem. Students from in state pay about $64,980 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $19,707. Geological & 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. Roughly 26% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University landed the #25 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $26,130 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $54,785 early in their careers. Set against $26,130 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 99 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 22 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/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
