2026 Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences certificate degree programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 597 schools 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.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed 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 Geological And Earth Sciences Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Learn more about these high-value schools below:
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #1 spot in this year's best-value ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Eau Claire, WI. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $21,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $58,561. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 82%. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Missouri State University Springfield earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,502 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $18,770. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Missouri State University Springfield alumni report median earnings of $49,827 a decade after entry. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Michigan University earned it the #3 place in the United States. Western Michigan University is a public school based in Kalamazoo, MI. In-state tuition and fees average $15,987, compared with $19,952 for out-of-state students. Western Michigan University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $27,981 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $53,562. That is a strong return on a $27,981 median debt. Western Michigan University admits about 85% of applicants. More on Western Michigan University
Out of the 597 schools in the United States in this year's value ranking, The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #4 spot. Located in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,326, while out-of-state students pay about $22,249. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $18,969. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,131. Set against $18,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 87% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio report
University Of Florida came in at #5 on this year's best-value Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. University Of Florida Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $24,757 in debt. University Of Florida alumni report median earnings of $71,588 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,757 median debt. University Of Florida admits about 24% of applicants. Read more about University Of Florida
Georgia State University came in at #6 in this year's value ranking. Georgia State University is a public school based in Atlanta, GA. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $26,500. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,384. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants. See the full Georgia State University profile
Washington State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Pullman, WA, Washington State University is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,391, with out-of-state students paying around $29,950. Graduates carry a median of $22,905 in student loans. Median earnings reach $68,905 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $22,905 median debt. Washington State University has an acceptance rate of 87%. Get the full Washington State University report
University Of Arizona placed #8 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Tucson, AZ. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $59,979 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona has an acceptance rate of 86%. More on University Of Arizona
Western Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Western Kentucky University is a public school based in Bowling Green, KY. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Western Kentucky University alumni report median earnings of $43,889 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Western Kentucky University has an acceptance rate of 94%. See the full Western Kentucky University profile
Arizona State University landed the #10 spot for value in the United States this year. Located in Tempe, AZ, Arizona State University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Arizona State University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $21,842 in debt. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $62,668. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted. More on Arizona State University
Cosumnes River College placed #11 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Cosumnes River College profile
Morehead State University landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Morehead State University
San Diego Mesa College offered strong value this year, earning the #13 position. More on San Diego Mesa College
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Winona State University landed the #15 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Winona State University report
Santiago Canyon College placed #16 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. More on Santiago Canyon College
University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. More on University Of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
University Of Rhode Island landed the #18 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about University Of Rhode Island
Beloit College
Beloit College landed the #19 spot for value in the United States this year. Read more about Beloit College
Colorado College
Colorado College landed the #20 spot for value in the United States this year. See the full Colorado College profile
North Carolina Central University offered strong value this year, earning the #21 position. Get the full North Carolina Central University report
Hartnell College
Hartnell College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. More on Hartnell College
The University Of West Florida landed the #23 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on The University Of West Florida
Towson University landed the #24 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Towson University
West Hills College Coalinga came in at #25 in this year's value ranking. See the full West Hills College Coalinga profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Geological And Earth Sciences Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools also delivered strong value this year:
Fort Hays State University came in at #26 in this year's value ranking. More on Fort Hays State University
Hofstra University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. See the full Hofstra University profile
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Get the full Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania report
Texas A And M University College Station offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. Get the full Texas A And M University College Station report
University Of Southern Maine ranked #30 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. More on University Of Southern Maine
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. Get the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University report
Northeastern University offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. More on Northeastern University
San Diego State University ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. See the full San Diego State University profile
California Lutheran University came in at #34 in this year's value ranking. See the full California Lutheran University profile
Fitchburg State University came in at #35 in this year's value ranking. See the full Fitchburg State University profile
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #36 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Read more about Pacific Lutheran University
Red Rocks Community College came in at #37 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Red Rocks Community College report
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #38 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst report
Western Nevada College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Western Nevada College report
Chaffey College
Chaffey College placed #40 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. More on Chaffey College
South Plains College placed #41 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on South Plains College
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Get the full State University Of New York At New Paltz report
College Of The Desert landed the #43 spot for value in the United States this year. Read the full report on College Of The Desert
Pennsylvania Western University landed the #44 spot for value in the United States this year. Get the full Pennsylvania Western University report
University Of Vermont came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Vermont report
Miami University Oxford placed #46 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. See the full Miami University Oxford profile
Millsaps College
Millsaps College ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. See the full Millsaps College profile
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #48 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about Pennsylvania State University World Campus
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Get the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona report
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania offered strong value this year, earning the #50 position. More on Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania
Related Geological And Earth Sciences Value Rankings
Compare value rankings at other degree levels:
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Rankings consider 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 597 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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