2023 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Highlighting Quality Schools With More Affordable Pricing
Finding the Best Geological & Earth Sciences School for You
In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned a degree or certificate in geological and earth sciences, making the major the #96 most popular in the United States.
Today's students have lots of options to pick from when considering higher education opportunities. You're no longer limited to schools in your local area, either, since online programs are becoming more prevalent. Or you may find the programs at a trade school to be a better alternative for you.
The Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking is one of many tools that Course Advisor has developed to help you make your educational decision. This report analyzed 206 schools in the United States to see which ones offered the best value programs for geology students. The goal was to highlight schools with more affordable prices than others offering similar quality experiences.
When determining this ranking, we place a high emphasis on the school's quality as well as its sticker price. Even though a college may be affordable, it may not offer value. Specifically, our score for quality is discounted by the published tuition and fees charged by the given college. This gives the cost per unit of quality for each college. The more quality your dollar buys, the better the value.
Our calculations use out-of-state tuition and fees in our nationwide and regional rankings. For statewide rankings, we use average in-state tuition and fees.
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2023 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
Check out the geology programs at these schools if you want to get the best value for your educational dollar.
Top 25 Best Schools for Affordable Quality in Geological & Earth Sciences
Our 2023 rankings named Brigham Young University - Idaho the best value school in the United States for geological and earth sciences students. BYU - I is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at BYU - I are $4,416 per year.
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Middlesex County College. The school came in at #2 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. Located in the large suburb of Edison, Middlesex County College is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
Middlesex County College undergraduate students pay an average of $7,992 in tuition and fees each year.
A rank of #3 on this year’s list means Brigham Young University - Provo is a great value for geological and earth sciences students. BYU is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at BYU are $6,120 a year.
In addition to its great value ranking, BYU is in the top 20% of all schools on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Brigham Young University - Provo
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around you if you attend Western Carolina University. The school came in at #4 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. WCU is a fairly large public school located in the town of Cullowhee.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at WCU are $8,367 a year.
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. UW - River Falls is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of River Falls.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - River Falls are $15,661 a year.
UW - River Falls also claimed a spot on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
University of Florida-Online did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #6 on the list. Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF Online is a public college with a medium-sized student population.
UF Online undergraduate students pay an average of $16,579 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that geology majors at UF Online take out is $15,337.
UF Online also claimed a spot on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Florida-Online
University of Wyoming did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #7 on the list. Located in the remote town of Laramie, UW is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UW are $16,957 per year. While working on their degree, geology majors at UW accumulate an average of around $24,000 in student debt.
With a ranking of #8, Illinois State University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. Located in the medium-sized suburb of Normal, Illinois State is a public school with a fairly large student population.
Illinois State undergraduate students pay an average of $24,172 in tuition and fees each year.
Illinois State excels when it comes to quality. It’s ranked in the top 10% of all schools on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list.
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. SRU is a medium-sized public school located in the distant town of Slippery Rock.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at SRU are $14,615 a year. Geology majors at SRU take out an average of $27,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
SRU also claimed a spot on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 20% of all schools in this category.
Full Geological & Earth Sciences at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Report
Edinboro University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #10 on the list. Edinboro is a small public school located in the fringe town of Edinboro.
Edinboro undergraduate students pay an average of $15,062 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that geology majors at Edinboro take out is $25,000.
University of Akron Main Campus did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #11 on the list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school located in the midsize city of Akron.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at University of Akron Main Campus are $11,880 a year. Geology majors at University of Akron Main Campus take out an average of $22,000 in student loans while working on their egree.
California State University - Long Beach did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #12 on the list. CSULB is a fairly large public school located in the city of Long Beach.
CSULB undergraduate students pay an average of $18,726 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Long Beach Report
California State Polytechnic University - Pomona came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking. Located in the large suburb of Pomona, Cal Poly Pomona is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Cal Poly Pomona are $19,319 a year. After completing their degree, geology graduates from Cal Poly Pomona carry an average student debtload of $18,579.
Full Geological & Earth Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Report
Clarion University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #14 on the list. Clarion University is a small public school located in the remote town of Clarion.
Clarion University undergraduate students pay an average of $16,052 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Geological & Earth Sciences at Clarion University of Pennsylvania Report
Western Illinois University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking. WIU is a moderately-sized public school located in the remote town of Macomb.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at WIU are $13,297 per year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Illinois University
East Tennessee State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking. Located in the small city of Johnson City, ETSU is a public school with a fairly large student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at ETSU are $12,740 a year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at East Tennessee State University
Texas A&M University - Kingsville ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. Located in the town of Kingsville, Texas A&M Kingsville is a public school with a medium-sized student population.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at Texas A&M Kingsville are $25,746 a year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M University - Kingsville
With a ranking of #18, University of Houston did quite well on this year’s best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. Located in the city of Houston, UH is a public college with a very large student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at UH are $21,891 per year. On average, geology graduates from UH take out $21,550 in student loans while working on their degree.
Full Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Houston Report
With a ranking of #19, Lock Haven University did quite well on this year’s best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. Located in the distant town of Lock Haven, LHU is a public school with a small student population.
Out-of-state tuition fees for undergraduate students at LHU are $20,702 per year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Lock Haven University
The University of Texas at Austin ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. UT Austin is a very large public school located in the large city of Austin.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UT Austin are $40,996 a year. While working on their degree, geology majors at UT Austin accumulate an average of around $16,479 in student debt. For students who choose a 10-year repayment plan, the average monthly student loan payment is $171.
UT Austin also claimed a spot on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 5% of all schools in this category.
With a ranking of #21, East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania did quite well on this year’s best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. East Stroudsburg University is a medium-sized public school located in the small city of East Stroudsburg.
East Stroudsburg University undergraduate students pay an average of $19,797 in tuition and fees each year.
Full Geological & Earth Sciences at East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania Report
California State University - Sacramento landed the #21 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value geological and earth sciences programs. Located in the large city of Sacramento, Sac State is a public college with a fairly large student population.
Sac State undergraduate students pay an average of $19,272 in tuition and fees each year. The average amount in student loans that geology majors at Sac State take out is $17,487.
California University of Pennsylvania did quite well in this year’s ranking of the best value schools for geological and earth sciences students. It came in at #23 on the list. Cal U is a medium-sized public school located in the small suburb of California.
Cal U undergraduate students pay an average of $15,726 in tuition and fees each year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California University of Pennsylvania
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #24 spot in the 2023 rankings for the best value geological and earth sciences programs. UW - Eau Claire is a fairly large public school located in the city of Eau Claire.
The average tuition and fees for an out-of-state undergraduate student at UW - Eau Claire are $17,149 a year. On average, geology graduates from UW - Eau Claire take out $19,500 in student loans while working on their degree.
UW - Eau Claire also claimed a spot on our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list. It’s in the top 10% of all schools in this category.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking. Missouri State is a fairly large public school located in the city of Springfield.
Missouri State undergraduate students pay an average of $16,498 in tuition and fees each year. While working on their degree, geology majors at Missouri State accumulate an average of around $27,000 in student debt.
Rest of the Top Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Honorable Mentions
These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools award.
| Rank | College | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Northern Illinois University | Dekalb, IL |
| 32 | Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | Bloomsburg, PA |
| 33 | Grand Valley State University | Allendale, MI |
| 34 | Florida Atlantic University | Boca Raton, FL |
| 35 | Austin Peay State University | Clarksville, TN |
| 36 | University of Delaware | Newark, DE |
| 37 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus | Stillwater, OK |
| 37 | University of Houston - Downtown | Houston, TX |
| 39 | Iowa State University | Ames, IA |
| 40 | Stockton University | Galloway, NJ |
| 41 | University of Nevada - Reno | Reno, NV |
Geological & Earth Sciences by Region
View the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Schools for a specific region near you.
| Region |
|---|
| Southeast |
| New England |
| Rocky Mountains |
| Plains States |
| Middle Atlantic |
| Far Western US |
| Southwest |
| Great Lakes |
More Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings
Geological & Earth Sciences Related Majors for Geology
Geological & Earth Sciences is one of 8 different types of programs to choose from.
Majors Similar to Geology
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 21,239 |
| Physics | 13,674 |
| General Physical Sciences | 3,823 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 1,375 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 1,140 |
Notes and References
*These averages are for the top 25 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 the rest 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).
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Kelvinsong.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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