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Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

CUNY Hunter College makes geological education accessible at just $2,446 net cost while maintaining a 61% graduation rate and 47.86% acceptance rate. The City University of New York system dominates affordable Earth sciences education, claiming six of the top ten spots for low-cost programs. California State universities round out most remaining affordable options, with CSU-Fullerton graduates earning $37,208 annually. The geological workforce benefits from this geographic concentration, as New York's environmental consulting sector and California's earthquake monitoring agencies create steady demand for graduates. Ohio University's regional campuses offer the lowest sticker prices but struggle with graduation rates below 21%. Students can complete quality Earth sciences degrees for under $6,200 across multiple states, making this field unusually accessible compared to other STEM disciplines. The $4,756 difference between the most and least expensive programs represents significant savings while still providing pathways to careers in environmental consulting, resource exploration, and geological surveying.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $10,204
Net Price Range
$36,820
Avg. Program Earnings
48.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $2,943 $7,452 56.6% 54.5%
3 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
4 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
5 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
6 $3,830 $7,538 60.2% 69.5%
7 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
8 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
9 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
10 $4,734 $7,358 30.3% 59.1%
11 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
12 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
13 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
14 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
15 $5,825 $7,696 49.3% 86.6%
16 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
17 $5,970 $8,179 36.9% 80.3%
18 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
19 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
20 $6,199 $6,863 39.8% 27.6%
21 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
22 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
23 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
24 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
25 $7,131 $4,656 55.1% 95.6%
26 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
27 $7,237 $3,412 48.1% 74.2%
28 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
29 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
30 $8,155 $6,360 61.8% 48.0%
31 $8,265 $9,058 56.4% 74.4%
32 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
33 $8,463 $6,270 40.7%
34 $8,683 $5,498 25.2%
35 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
36 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
37 $9,002 $4,311 35.2%
38 $9,110 $14,288 61.9% 77.7%
39 $9,121 $9,708 59.5% 84.0%
40 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
41 $9,144 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
42 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
43 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
44 $9,983 $9,700 42.3% 91.4%
45 $10,011 $9,142 50.1% 85.3%
46 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
47 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
48 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
49 $10,097 $6,906 37.0%
50 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes CUNY schools so affordable for Earth sciences students?

CUNY institutions offer net costs between $2,446 and $5,115, significantly lower than most public universities. As public colleges serving New York residents, they combine low tuition with substantial financial aid. Hunter College's $2,446 net cost represents strong value with a 61% graduation rate, while Brooklyn College costs just $2,943 with a 56.6% completion rate.

How do California State University programs compare in affordability?

California State universities cost between $3,659 and $5,825 net price for Earth sciences programs. CSU-Dominguez Hills offers the lowest at $3,659 with an 89.13% acceptance rate, while CSU-Fullerton graduates earn the highest salaries at $37,208 annually. Most CSU programs accept over 85% of applicants, making admission relatively accessible.

Does program location affect career earnings in geological sciences?

CSU-Fullerton graduates earn $37,208 annually, the highest among reported programs, likely reflecting California's active geological consulting market. University of Florida-Online graduates earn $34,259 despite the lower cost of living in Florida. Geographic factors like proximity to energy companies, environmental firms, and geological survey offices significantly impact starting salaries.

Where can students find the lowest tuition for Earth sciences degrees?

Ohio University's regional campuses charge just $6,178 in-state tuition, the lowest among these programs. However, graduation rates remain concerning at 20% and 19.3% respectively for Eastern and Southern campuses. University of Florida-Online charges only $3,876 in-state while achieving a 77.7% graduation rate, representing better overall value.

What graduation rates should students expect from affordable programs?

Graduation rates vary dramatically from 19.3% at Ohio University-Southern to 77.7% at University of Florida-Online. CUNY schools generally achieve 49% to 61% completion rates, while California State universities range from 46.9% to 69.2%. Students should weigh low costs against completion likelihood when choosing programs.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.