2026 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest 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 The University Of Texas At San Antonio the best value for a degree in geological & earth sciences in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Houston came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,717, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $89,896. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. University Of Houston admits about 74% of applicants.
University Of Houston Downtown is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of Houston Downtown is a large public school located in the city of Houston. In-state tuition and fees average $7,582, with out-of-state students paying around $17,434. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $50,894. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #4. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,528. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Students looking for strong value in geological & earth sciences will find it at Stephen F Austin State University, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona earned the #6 position for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $51,943. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for geological & earth sciences. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Stillwater. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn a median of $50,993 early in their careers. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $86,497 early in their careers. Set against $29,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, compared with $40,144 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,500 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $65,546 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of Texas At Dallas admits about 65% of applicants.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,487 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $42,062. Set against $16,487 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus came in at #11 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete the geological & earth sciences program here. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,738 median debt. University Of New Mexico Main Campus admits about 95% of applicants.
Texas Tech University came in at #12 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,852, compared with $24,157 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Early-career geological & earth sciences graduates make about $49,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #13 for value in geological & earth sciences this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates carry a median of $20,837 in student loans. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $57,562 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 57%.
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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 · 67 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 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. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
