2026 Best Value Soil Sciences Schools
Looking for the best-value Soil Sciences programs programs in the United States? We have ranked 42 schools by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor evaluated schools to compile this 2026 value ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Best-Value Soil Sciences Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Leading the list is Brigham Young University Provo, our #1 best-value Soil Sciences school in the United States. Based in Provo, UT, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,688. Brigham Young University Provo Soil Sciences students take on a median of $12,184 in debt. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $75,790. Set against $12,184 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo has an acceptance rate of 68%. More on Brigham Young University Provo
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Brigham Young University Idaho earned it the #2 place in the United States. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rexburg, ID. In-state tuition and fees run about $4,800. The median Soil Sciences program debt is $13,287. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,406. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. About 96% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Brigham Young University Idaho profile
North Dakota State University Main Campus came in at #3 on this year's best-value Soil Sciences ranking in the United States. Located in Fargo, ND, North Dakota State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,910 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,564 for out-of-state students. North Dakota State University Main Campus Soil Sciences students take on a median of $25,153 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,203. Set against $25,153 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Dakota State University Main Campus has an acceptance rate of 95%. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
You'll get strong value at University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez, which ranked #4 this year. Based in Mayaguez, PR, University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,274 in tuition and fees. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Soil Sciences students take on a median of $8,630 in debt. University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez alumni report median earnings of $48,992 a decade after entry. Set against $8,630 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 56%. See the full University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez profile
A rank of #5 makes Southern Illinois University Carbondale one of the best values in the United States. Set in Carbondale, IL, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,334. Students borrow a median of $23,730 to complete their Soil Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $53,390 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Southern Illinois University Carbondale
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Set in Stevens Point, WI, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $18,248. Graduates carry a median of $22,989 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $52,021. Set against $22,989 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 92% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Madison, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. The median Soil Sciences program debt is $21,813. University Of Wisconsin Madison alumni report median earnings of $73,792 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
Iowa State University came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Students from in state pay about $10,787 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. Iowa State University Soil Sciences students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Median earnings reach $63,386 ten years out. Set against $23,495 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Iowa State University has an acceptance rate of 89%. More on Iowa State University
University Of Wyoming placed #9 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Wyoming is a public school based in Laramie, WY. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete their Soil Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $56,880 ten years out. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of Wyoming
University Of Nebraska Lincoln offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. This public school is set in Lincoln, NE. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,434, while out-of-state students pay about $28,584. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete their Soil Sciences program here. Graduates go on to earn a median of $56,887 ten years after entry. Set against $22,386 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Set in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Purdue University Main Campus Soil Sciences students take on a median of $19,844 in debt. Purdue University Main Campus alumni report median earnings of $72,424 a decade after entry. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
The University Of Tennessee came in at #12 in this year's value ranking. The University Of Tennessee is a public school based in Knoxville, TN. Students from in state pay about $13,812 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,149 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,249. Set against $23,149 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #13 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Typical Soil Sciences student debt is $20,031. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $72,097. Set against $20,031 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 57% of those who apply are admitted. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, while out-of-state students pay about $25,630. Typical Soil Sciences student debt is $22,337. Median earnings reach $57,413 ten years out. Set against $22,337 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 75%. See the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus profile
Washington State University came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $68,905. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 87% of applicants are accepted. More on Washington State University
University Of Florida ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $17,669 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $71,588. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on University Of Florida
North Carolina State University At Raleigh ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. Students borrow a median of $22,113 to complete their Soil Sciences program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,758. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. North Carolina State University At Raleigh has an acceptance rate of 42%. See the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh profile
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Typical Soil Sciences student debt is $21,577. Median earnings reach $69,020 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $21,577 median debt. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
University Of California Davis came in at #19 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Davis, CA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. University Of California Davis Soil Sciences students take on a median of $14,404 in debt. University Of California Davis alumni report median earnings of $80,838 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. About 42% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of California Davis report
University Of Georgia landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. This public school is set in Athens, GA. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $68,726. Set against $21,792 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Get the full University Of Georgia report
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #21 spot for value in the United States this year. Missouri State University Springfield is a public school based in Springfield, MO. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Missouri State University Springfield Soil Sciences students take on a median of $24,408 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,827 ten years after entry. Set against $24,408 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 90% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Missouri State University Springfield
Oregon State University came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. This public school is set in Corvallis, OR. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Median earnings reach $64,010 ten years out. Set against $24,043 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Oregon State University has an acceptance rate of 77%. Get the full Oregon State University report
Utah State University offered strong value this year, earning the #23 position. Based in Logan, UT, Utah State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,560, while out-of-state students pay about $24,993. The median Soil Sciences program debt is $16,191. Median earnings reach $54,022 ten years out. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants. See the full Utah State University profile
Michigan State University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Michigan State University is a public school based in East Lansing, MI. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Michigan State University Soil Sciences students take on a median of $21,859 in debt. Median earnings reach $67,253 ten years out. Set against $21,859 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. See the full Michigan State University profile
Clemson University offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. Located in Clemson, SC, Clemson University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,554 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,866 for out-of-state students. Clemson University Soil Sciences students take on a median of $23,783 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $71,513 ten years after entry. Set against $23,783 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Clemson University report
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Soil Sciences Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
University Of Hawaii At Manoa came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Located in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical Soil Sciences student debt is $20,577. University Of Hawaii At Manoa alumni report median earnings of $57,624 a decade after entry. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #27 in this year's value ranking. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. In-state tuition and fees average $13,373, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Colorado State University Fort Collins Soil Sciences students take on a median of $21,750 in debt. Colorado State University Fort Collins alumni report median earnings of $60,543 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
New Mexico State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Based in Las Cruces, NM, New Mexico State University Main Campus is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,183, compared with $25,307 for out-of-state students. The median Soil Sciences program debt is $19,026. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $39,067. Set against $19,026 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 89% of those who apply are admitted. See the full New Mexico State University Main Campus profile
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #29 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. More on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson
University Of California Riverside offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. See the full University Of California Riverside profile
University Of Kentucky landed the #32 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Kentucky report
University Of Idaho placed #33 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. More on University Of Idaho
Northwest State Community College landed the #34 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Northwest State Community College
Treasure Valley Community College ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Get the full Treasure Valley Community College report
Texas Tech University offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Get the full Texas Tech University report
University Of Maryland College Park landed the #37 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville came in at #38 in this year's value ranking. Read more about University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville
Buena Vista University placed #39 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Buena Vista University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo placed #40 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern offered strong value this year, earning the #42 position. More on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern
Best Value Soil Sciences Schools by Degree Level
Compare value rankings by degree level:
- Best Value Soil Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Soil Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Soil Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Soil Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Soil Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Soil Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Soil Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs 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 · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 42 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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