Best Value Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Colleges in Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University stands out with the strongest earning potential among Tennessee geological sciences programs, posting $44,971 in early career earnings while maintaining a reasonable $12,599 net cost. This positions MTSU graduates well above the state average despite the program's modest 54% graduation rate. Tennessee's automotive manufacturing sector, particularly around Murfreesboro and Nashville, creates steady demand for earth sciences professionals in materials testing and environmental compliance. The cost gap between public and private options runs dramatic, with University of the South reaching $27,498 net cost compared to UT-Martin's bargain $10,299 price point.

Programs

$10,299 – $27,498

Net Price Range

$32,388

Avg. Program Earnings

60.9%

Avg. Graduation Rate

10 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro, Tennessee	$12,599	$44,971	$9,506	54.0%	72.5%
2	The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin, Tennessee	$10,299	$28,405	$10,208	54.8%	88.4%
3	Tennessee Technological University Cookeville, Tennessee	$14,207	$37,208	$10,084	54.2%	78.1%
4	The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga, Tennessee	$12,817	$31,133	$10,144	53.1%	82.7%
5	Austin Peay State University Clarksville, Tennessee	$14,846	$30,554	$8,675	44.5%	93.8%
6	University of Memphis Memphis, Tennessee	$13,253	$24,035	$10,344	49.4%	94.6%
7	The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, Tennessee	$18,109	$30,409	$13,484	73.5%	68.4%
8	East Tennessee State University Johnson City, Tennessee	$15,794		$9,950	49.9%	85.3%
9	The University of the South Sewanee, Tennessee	$27,498		$53,698	82.4%	52.3%
10	Vanderbilt University Nashville, Tennessee	$19,040		$63,946	92.7%	6.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $20,936 earnings difference between the highest and lowest paying programs?

Middle Tennessee State University leads with $44,971 earnings while University of Memphis trails at $24,035, reflecting regional job market differences and program focus. MTSU's proximity to Nashville's corporate headquarters and Tennessee's automotive corridor provides better industry connections than Memphis's more limited geological sector.

How do Tennessee's public university costs compare for earth sciences students?

In-state tuition ranges from $8,675 at Austin Peay to $13,484 at UT-Knoxville, with most programs clustering around $10,000 annually. Net costs after aid span $10,299 to $18,109, making Tennessee's public options genuinely affordable compared to national averages.

Does the Tennessee Promise program cover geological sciences coursework?

Tennessee Promise covers community college tuition for the first two years, allowing students to complete prerequisites before transferring to four-year geological sciences programs. This pathway can reduce total costs significantly, especially when combined with Tennessee's lack of state income tax.

What accounts for UT-Knoxville's 73.5% graduation rate compared to other state schools?

UT-Knoxville maintains the highest graduation rate among public options at 73.5%, likely due to stronger student support systems and research opportunities. This comes with higher costs at $18,109 net price, but graduates still achieve solid $30,409 earnings in their early careers.

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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.