2026 Best Value Soil Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Soil Sciences doctoral degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 42 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh 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 analyzed schools to produce 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 Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
Our analysis found University Of Wisconsin Madison to be the best-value Soil Sciences school in the United States. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. University Of Wisconsin Madison Soil Sciences students take on a median of $21,813 in debt. 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. The acceptance rate is 45%. See the full University Of Wisconsin Madison profile
Out of the 42 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, University Of Wyoming landed the #2 spot. Located in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. University Of Wyoming Soil Sciences students take on a median of $20,283 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $56,880. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted. See the full University Of Wyoming profile
Out of the 42 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Texas A And M University College Station landed the #3 spot. This public school is set in College Station, TX. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. The median Soil Sciences program debt is $20,031. Texas A And M University College Station alumni report median earnings of $72,097 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $20,031 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
A rank of #4 makes Iowa State University one of the best values in the United States. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Iowa State University Soil Sciences students take on a median of $23,495 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,386 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,495 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%. See the full Iowa State University profile
Out of the 42 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, Oklahoma State University Main Campus landed the #5 spot. Located in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,110 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,630. Graduates carry a median of $22,337 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,413 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,337 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, while out-of-state students pay about $28,794. Graduates carry a median of $19,844 in student loans. 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. Purdue University Main Campus admits about 50% of applicants. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #7 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. Typical Soil Sciences student debt is $22,113. Median earnings reach $68,758 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
University Of Florida placed #8 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Soil Sciences students take on a median of $17,669 in debt. University Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $71,588 a decade after entry. Set against $17,669 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 24% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about University Of Florida
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #9 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. 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. The median Soil Sciences program debt is $21,577. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities alumni report median earnings of $69,020 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. See the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities profile
Washington State University placed #10 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Washington State University is a public school based in Pullman, WA. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,391, while out-of-state students pay about $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $21,903 in student loans. Washington State University alumni report median earnings of $68,905 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $21,903 median debt. Washington State University admits about 87% of applicants. More on Washington State University
University Of California Davis placed #11 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Davis, CA. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. University Of California Davis Soil Sciences students take on a median of $14,404 in debt. Graduates go on to earn a median of $80,838 ten years after entry. Set against $14,404 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Davis has an acceptance rate of 42%. Read the full report on University Of California Davis
Oregon State University placed #12 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Corvallis, OR, Oregon State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, with out-of-state students paying around $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,043 to complete their Soil Sciences program here. Median earnings reach $64,010 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. See the full Oregon State University profile
Utah State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set 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. Utah State University Soil Sciences students take on a median of $16,191 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $54,022. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants. Read the full report on Utah State University
Michigan State University placed #14 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted. Read the full report on Michigan State University
Colorado State University Fort Collins placed #15 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Graduates carry a median of $21,750 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $60,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Set in Honolulu, HI, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,186, with out-of-state students paying around $34,218. Typical Soil Sciences student debt is $20,577. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,624. Set against $20,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Manoa has an acceptance rate of 87%. See the full University Of Hawaii At Manoa profile
Southern Illinois University Carbondale placed #17 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Southern Illinois University Carbondale
North Dakota State University Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #18 position. See the full North Dakota State University Main Campus profile
University Of Nebraska Lincoln placed #19 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Nebraska Lincoln
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. See the full California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo profile
University Of Idaho came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. More on University Of Idaho
University Of Georgia landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. More on University Of Georgia
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern came in at #23 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Newbern report
Brigham Young University Idaho ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Get the full Brigham Young University Idaho report
Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson placed #25 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. More on Tennessee College Of Applied Technology Jackson
Rest of the Top 15% Best-Value Soil Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value:
Clemson University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Clemson University report
Buena Vista University landed the #27 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Buena Vista University report
Northwest State Community College placed #28 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. More on Northwest State Community College
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point landed the #29 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point report
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez report
Texas Tech University came in at #31 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Texas Tech University
University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville placed #32 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full University Of Arkansas Community College Batesville report
Brigham Young University Provo offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. Read more about Brigham Young University Provo
Missouri State University Springfield placed #34 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. More on Missouri State University Springfield
University Of Washington Seattle Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #36 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Pennsylvania State University Main Campus report
University Of California Riverside came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on University Of California Riverside
University Of Maryland College Park placed #38 among the best-value Soil Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about University Of Maryland College Park
Treasure Valley Community College came in at #39 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Treasure Valley Community College
University Of Kentucky offered strong value this year, earning the #40 position. More on University Of Kentucky
New Mexico State University Main Campus landed the #41 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about New Mexico State University Main Campus
The University Of Tennessee ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Soil Sciences schools. Read the full report on The University Of Tennessee
Related Soil Sciences Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Soil Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- 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
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published 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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