2026 Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
Looking for the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences graduate certificate degree programs in the United States? We have ranked 597 colleges by value — the balance of cost and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Our scores reflect factors such as tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the strongest return on investment.
To arm you with the information you need, Course Advisor reviewed schools to build 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 Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
Here are the top-ranked schools for value:
Illinois State University tops our 2026 ranking of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences graduate certificate degree schools in the United States. This public school is set in Normal, IL. In-state tuition and fees run about $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $62,117 ten years after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%. Get the full Illinois State University report
Missouri State University Springfield came in at #2 on this year's best-value Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. Located in Springfield, MO, Missouri State University Springfield is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, while out-of-state students pay about $18,770. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $28,000. Graduates go on to earn a median of $49,827 ten years after entry. Set against $28,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Missouri State University Springfield has an acceptance rate of 90%. Get the full Missouri State University Springfield report
Western Michigan University came in at #3 on this year's best-value Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. Located in Kalamazoo, MI, Western Michigan University is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,987, with out-of-state students paying around $19,952. Students borrow a median of $27,981 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Ten years after enrolling, 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
East Carolina University came in at #4 on this year's best-value Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. Located in Greenville, NC, East Carolina University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,361, compared with $23,638 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $55,146. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. East Carolina University admits about 89% of applicants. Read the full report on East Carolina University
University Of New Orleans came in at #5 on this year's best-value Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. Set in New Orleans, LA, University Of New Orleans is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,172, with out-of-state students paying around $14,008. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $23,048. Graduates go on to earn a median of $47,872 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $23,048 median debt. About 74% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of New Orleans report
The University Of Texas At San Antonio landed the #6 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in San Antonio, TX, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Graduates carry a median of $18,969 in student loans. Median earnings reach $57,131 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $18,969 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%. See the full The University Of Texas At San Antonio profile
Montana State University offered strong value this year, earning the #7 position. Set in Bozeman, MT, Montana State University is a public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,460 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,287 for out-of-state students. Montana State University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $22,250 in debt. Median earnings reach $53,263 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%. Read more about Montana State University
University Of Massachusetts Lowell offered strong value this year, earning the #8 position. Set in Lowell, MA, University Of Massachusetts Lowell is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,966, compared with $36,264 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,574. University Of Massachusetts Lowell alumni report median earnings of $64,874 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $25,574 median debt. The acceptance rate is 83%. Get the full University Of Massachusetts Lowell report
University Of Utah placed #9 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Utah is a public school based in Salt Lake City, UT. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $20,798. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $67,170. That is a strong return on a $20,798 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%. More on University Of Utah
University Of Kansas offered strong value this year, earning the #10 position. Based in Lawrence, KS, University Of Kansas is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,102, while out-of-state students pay about $30,432. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $27,000. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $61,945. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. About 94% of those who apply are admitted. Get the full University Of Kansas report
University Of Iowa came in at #11 in this year's value ranking. Located in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,283, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $24,463. Graduates go on to earn a median of $64,762 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $24,463 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted. More on University Of Iowa
University Of Rhode Island landed the #12 spot for value in the United States this year. Set in Kingston, RI, University Of Rhode Island is a public institution. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,942, compared with $37,146 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,432. Median earnings reach $69,743 ten years out. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%. Get the full University Of Rhode Island report
Portland State University came in at #13 in this year's value ranking. Set in Portland, OR, Portland State University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $24,125 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. A decade after starting, students earn a median of $57,906. Set against $24,125 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants. More on Portland State University
Stony Brook University landed the #14 spot for value in the United States this year. Based in Stony Brook, NY, Stony Brook University is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,931, with out-of-state students paying around $32,741. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $20,537. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $74,502. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stony Brook University admits about 49% of applicants. Read the full report on Stony Brook University
University Of Arizona came in at #15 in this year's value ranking. University Of Arizona is a public school based in Tucson, AZ. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. University Of Arizona alumni report median earnings of $59,979 a decade after entry. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants. See the full University Of Arizona profile
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, compared with $45,824 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $24,521. Colorado School Of Mines alumni report median earnings of $97,335 a decade after entry. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. About 61% of those who apply are admitted. Read more about Colorado School Of Mines
University Of New Hampshire Main Campus offered strong value this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Durham, NH, University Of New Hampshire Main Campus is a public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $19,202, with out-of-state students paying around $39,852. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $26,368. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $66,479. That is a strong return on a $26,368 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted. Read more about University Of New Hampshire Main Campus
Crafton Hills College came in at #18 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Crafton Hills College report
Glendale Community College Glendale Ca ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Read more about Glendale Community College Glendale Ca
Ohio University Southern Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Read the full report on Ohio University Southern Campus
West Hills College Lemoore came in at #21 in this year's value ranking. Read the full report on West Hills College Lemoore
Colorado State University Fort Collins came in at #22 in this year's value ranking. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
Hamilton College
Hamilton College ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. See the full Hamilton College profile
Tyler Junior College placed #24 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Tyler Junior College
Ventura College
Ventura College offered strong value this year, earning the #25 position. See the full Ventura College profile
Rest of the Top 50 Best-Value Geological And Earth Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s value ranking:
Eastern Michigan University ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Read more about Eastern Michigan University
George Mason University offered strong value this year, earning the #27 position. Read more about George Mason University
Salem State University offered strong value this year, earning the #28 position. Read the full report on Salem State University
Salish Kootenai College offered strong value this year, earning the #29 position. More on Salish Kootenai College
University Of Toledo came in at #30 in this year's value ranking. Get the full University Of Toledo report
California State University Stanislaus offered strong value this year, earning the #31 position. More on California State University Stanislaus
Lee College
Lee College offered strong value this year, earning the #32 position. Get the full Lee College report
Northern Arizona University offered strong value this year, earning the #33 position. See the full Northern Arizona University profile
Oberlin College
Oberlin College placed #34 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Read the full report on Oberlin College
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #35 position. See the full South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology profile
University Of Tulsa offered strong value this year, earning the #36 position. Read the full report on University Of Tulsa
Western Kentucky University ranked #37 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Read more about Western Kentucky University
Burlington County College offered strong value this year, earning the #38 position. More on Burlington County College
Cuny Kingsborough Community College landed the #39 spot for value in the United States this year. More on Cuny Kingsborough Community College
Hill College
Hill College ranked #40 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Read more about Hill College
The University Of Tennessee Martin placed #41 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Read more about The University Of Tennessee Martin
Winona State University came in at #42 in this year's value ranking. Get the full Winona State University report
College Of Alameda placed #43 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. See the full College Of Alameda profile
Wittenberg University placed #44 among the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Get the full Wittenberg University report
Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College came in at #45 in this year's value ranking. See the full Cabrillo College profile
Carleton College
Carleton College offered strong value this year, earning the #46 position. Read the full report on Carleton College
Concord University ranked #47 on our 2026 list of the best-value Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Get the full Concord University report
Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology offered strong value this year, earning the #48 position. More on Harrisburg University Of Science And Technology
Los Angeles Southwest College offered strong value this year, earning the #49 position. Read more about Los Angeles Southwest College
Olivet Nazarene University came in at #50 in this year's value ranking. More on Olivet Nazarene University
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 Certificate Degree Schools
- 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 Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Value Geological And Earth Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
This list is compiled 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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