2026 Best Value Geoscience Engineering Doctoral Degree Schools

#1

University Of North Dakota

Grand Forks, ND

For return on investment, no school beat University Of North Dakota this year in the United States. Based in Grand Forks, ND, University Of North Dakota is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,951, compared with $15,570 for out-of-state students. The median Geoscience Engineering program debt is $25,110. Graduates go on to earn a median of $63,552 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,110 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of North Dakota

#2

South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

Rapid City, SD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology earned it the #2 place in the United States. This public school is set in Rapid City, SD. In-state tuition and fees average $10,500, with out-of-state students paying around $14,900. Graduates carry a median of $26,668 in student loans. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology alumni report median earnings of $72,257 a decade after entry. Set against $26,668 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 80% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology

#3

University Of Wisconsin Madison

Madison, WI

You'll get strong value at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3 this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public school based in Madison, WI. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. University Of Wisconsin Madison Geoscience Engineering 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. Set against $21,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison has an acceptance rate of 45%. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison

#4

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI

Michigan Technological University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Geoscience Engineering ranking in the United States. Based in Houghton, MI, Michigan Technological University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $20,532, while out-of-state students pay about $44,807. Typical Geoscience Engineering student debt is $22,849. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $78,198. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%. More on Michigan Technological University

#5

Colorado School Of Mines

Golden, CO

Colorado School Of Mines came in at #5 on this year's best-value Geoscience Engineering ranking in the United States. Located in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. Colorado School Of Mines Geoscience Engineering students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. Colorado School Of Mines alumni report median earnings of $97,335 a decade after entry. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 61%. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile

#6

Missouri University Of Science And Technology

Rolla, MO

Missouri University Of Science And Technology landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Rolla, MO, Missouri University Of Science And Technology is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,984 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,248 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Median earnings reach $82,957 ten years out. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 72% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Missouri University Of Science And Technology

#7

University Of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #7 among the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools in the United States. Based in Salt Lake City, UT, University Of Utah is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $67,170 ten years after entry. Set against $20,798 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%. Read more about University Of Utah

#8

University Of Nevada Reno

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #8 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Nevada Reno report

#9

The University Of Texas At Austin

The University Of Texas At Austin offered strong value this year, earning the #9 position. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report

#10

Delaware Technical Community College Terry

Delaware Technical Community College Terry offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Read more about Delaware Technical Community College Terry

#11

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities offered strong value this year, earning the #11 position. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

#12

University Of Idaho

University Of Idaho landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Idaho profile

#13

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools. Read the full report on Montana Tech Of The University Of Montana

#14

University Of Mississippi Main Campus

University Of Mississippi Main Campus placed #14 among the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools in the United States. More on University Of Mississippi Main Campus

#15

Rutgers University Newark

Rutgers University Newark placed #15 among the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools in the United States. See the full Rutgers University Newark profile

#16

University Of Arizona

University Of Arizona landed the #16 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of Arizona

#17

New Mexico State University Main Campus

New Mexico State University Main Campus placed #17 among the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools in the United States. Get the full New Mexico State University Main Campus report

#18

University Of Rochester

University Of Rochester ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools. More on University Of Rochester

#19

University Of Pennsylvania

University Of Pennsylvania ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Pennsylvania report

#20

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus profile

#21

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report

#22

University Of California Los Angeles

University Of California Los Angeles landed the #22 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on University Of California Los Angeles

#23

University Of Alaska Fairbanks

University Of Alaska Fairbanks ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geoscience Engineering schools. See the full University Of Alaska Fairbanks profile