2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Geological & Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geological & earth sciences education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 42 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 Rocky Mountains 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
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Idaho the best value for a degree in geological & earth sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region. 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. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Southern Utah University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,962, with out-of-state students paying around $21,192. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $12,886. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Southern Utah University earn a median of $44,998 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Southern Utah University admits about 82% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of Wyoming, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. 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. That is a strong return on a $23,700 median debt. University Of Wyoming admits about 97% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at University Of Utah, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Utah generally make around $49,446. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Utah State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 92%.
University Of Northern Colorado came in at #6 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a large public school located in the city of Greeley. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,901, compared with $26,979 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $46,954. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Boise State University earned the #7 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,048, with out-of-state students paying around $27,788. Students borrow a median of $27,299 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $31,701. Set against $27,299 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Colorado State University Fort Collins landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Collins. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,028 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Colorado State University Fort Collins earn a median of $41,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,028 median debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins admits about 88% of applicants.
Montana State University earned the #9 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,460, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Montana State University generally make around $29,030. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #10 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. In-state tuition and fees average $15,214, while out-of-state students pay about $42,970. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $46,263. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 78%.
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $21,914 in tuition and fees, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,521. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $79,523. Set against $24,521 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
Colorado College earned the #12 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $70,734. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 18%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 42 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
