2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geological & earth sciences, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
University Of Florida earned the #1 spot for value among geological & earth sciences schools in the Southeast Region. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $40,691. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #2 place for geological & earth sciences. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $23,420. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,423. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Florida Atlantic University, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Florida Atlantic University earn a median of $49,340 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,212 median debt. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,002. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,565. That is a strong return on a $24,002 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Florida Online earned it the #5 place for geological & earth sciences. 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. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $40,691. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Florida International University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Florida International University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Miami. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,565, with out-of-state students paying around $18,964. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $19,349. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. That is a strong return on a $19,349 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #7 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $20,488 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. 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. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #8 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill admits about 15% of applicants.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. 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, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,323. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Kentucky University admits about 94% of applicants.
Columbus State University landed the #11 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,898, with out-of-state students paying around $17,610. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $28,493. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Columbus State University earn a median of $51,154 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,493 median debt. The acceptance rate is 99%.
Western Carolina University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,630 in tuition and fees, compared with $8,630 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. Set against $24,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Western Carolina University admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $21,792. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $53,546. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
West Virginia University placed #14 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. Set against $23,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Middle Tennessee State University earned the #15 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Murfreesboro, Middle Tennessee State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,266 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,574. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $31,256. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Middle Tennessee State University generally make around $34,329. Set against $31,256 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of Memphis landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. University Of Memphis is a very large public school located in the city of Memphis. Students from in state pay about $10,728 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,315. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Old Dominion University came in at #17 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $26,001. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Southern Mississippi came in at #18 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Southern Mississippi is a large public school located in the city of Hattiesburg. In-state tuition and fees average $9,998, with out-of-state students paying around $11,998. Students borrow a median of $25,415 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $52,338. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned the #19 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $37,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Mississippi State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Mississippi State University is a very large public school located in the town of Mississippi State. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,202, compared with $27,637 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,286 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $53,101. Set against $26,286 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Mississippi State University admits about 78% of applicants.
East Tennessee State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. East Tennessee State University is a large public school located in the city of Johnson City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,216, compared with $13,726 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $45,444. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Appalachian State University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $25,212. Students borrow a median of $22,853 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of $35,021 early in their careers. Set against $22,853 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
East Carolina University came in at #23 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geological & earth sciences graduates is $20,500. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $44,961. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #24 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,871. Set against $22,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
Georgia State University came in at #25 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $46,337. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geological & earth sciences value ranking:
Narrow Geological & Earth Sciences Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 85 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 39 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/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
