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Best Value Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Colleges in Texas

Ranked by best return on investment (earnings vs. cost). See our methodology.

Texas geological and earth sciences programs show extreme cost variation, with UT Permian Basin charging just $9,144 net compared to Southern Methodist University's $41,778. This nearly 5x difference reflects the state's mix of accessible public options and premium private institutions. UT Austin geology graduates earn the highest salaries at $47,260, while UT El Paso produces the lowest at $28,598, creating a $18,662 earnings gap across programs. The variation makes sense given Texas's massive energy sector, which employs geoscientists across oil and gas exploration, renewable energy development, and environmental consulting. Houston alone hosts over 4,000 energy companies, while the Permian Basin drives much of America's oil production. Most Texas public universities keep net costs below $21,000, making geology education accessible to students entering a field where entry-level positions often require only a bachelor's degree. The state's geological diversity, from Gulf Coast formations to West Texas basins, provides real-world learning opportunities that complement classroom instruction across all price points.
28
Programs
$9,144 – $41,942
Net Price Range
$39,664
Avg. Program Earnings
55.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

28 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $9,144 $42,188 $10,904 43.0% 94.7%
2 $13,853 $40,827 $9,711 64.9% 66.2%
3 $11,234 $32,569 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
4 $15,235 $43,128 $11,728 56.5% 80.8%
5 $10,726 $28,598 $9,744 45.9% 99.9%
6 $16,025 $41,193 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
7 $15,137 $38,289 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
8 $19,678 $47,260 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
9 $20,261 $42,682 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
10 $20,924 $40,461 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
11 $20,071 $37,208 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%
12 $33,531 $41,565 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
13 $23,650 $51,352 81.9% 30.5%
14 $20,540 $23,186 19.2% 69.7%
15 $20,841 $9,101 47.3% 91.6%
16 $17,435 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
17 $13,220 $9,548 29.4% 96.1%
18 $10,204 $9,892 45.6% 96.6%
19 $12,915 $8,319 40.7% 79.1%
20 $10,991 $7,592 27.4% 97.1%
21 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
22 $41,778 $64,460 83.3% 52.3%
23 $12,640 $58,128 95.7% 8.7%
24 $11,882 $10,310 41.3% 92.4%
25 $11,429 $8,690 37.2% 83.7%
26 $14,623 $7,708 33.8% 88.4%
27 $21,031 $31,686 49.6% 88.3%
28 $41,942 $54,844 80.2% 45.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $32,634 difference between cheapest and most expensive geology programs?

UT Permian Basin costs $9,144 net while Southern Methodist University charges $41,778, reflecting public versus private funding models. Public universities receive state subsidies that significantly reduce student costs, while private institutions rely on tuition revenue. SMU's higher price includes smaller class sizes and additional resources, but both types of programs prepare students for similar geology careers. The cost difference doesn't necessarily correlate with employment outcomes, as UT Austin graduates earn more than SMU students despite lower tuition.

How do geology graduate earnings compare across Texas universities?

UT Austin geology graduates earn $47,260, leading all Texas programs and exceeding the next highest earner by $4,000. UT Arlington follows at $43,128, while Tarleton State reaches $42,682 despite much lower costs. UT El Paso graduates earn just $28,598, creating an $18,662 salary range across state programs. These differences often reflect regional job markets, with Austin's tech sector and energy consulting firms paying premium wages compared to border region opportunities.

Is the low graduation rate at some geology programs concerning?

Several Texas geology programs show graduation rates below 50%, with Sul Ross State at just 27.4% and Texas A&M Corpus Christi at 33.7%. These rates reflect broader institutional challenges rather than geology-specific issues, as students often change majors or transfer to other universities. UT Austin's 87.6% rate demonstrates that strong programs can retain geology students through completion. The field's hands-on nature and clear career paths typically support student persistence when adequate support systems exist.

Does attending expensive private schools improve geology career prospects?

Texas Christian University charges $33,531 net but graduates earn $41,565, which falls short of several cheaper public options. UT Austin students pay $19,678 but earn $47,260, demonstrating better return on investment. Southern Methodist University costs $41,778 but doesn't report earnings data, making value assessment difficult. Private schools may offer networking advantages and smaller programs, but Texas public universities generally provide better financial value for geology careers.

Where do Texas geology graduates find the best job opportunities?

Houston's energy corridor employs thousands of geoscientists across major oil companies, environmental consulting firms, and renewable energy developers. The Permian Basin region offers field-based positions in oil and gas exploration, while Austin's environmental consulting sector serves growing tech companies. Dallas-Fort Worth provides corporate geology positions with energy companies and engineering firms. Texas produces 40% of America's oil and leads wind energy production, creating varied geology career paths across multiple regions and salary levels.

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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.