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Fort Hays State University offers the most affordable geological sciences education in Kansas at just $13,493 net cost, nearly $4,400 less than Kansas State University's program. The state's aerospace manufacturing sector, including Spirit AeroSystems and Textron Aviation, creates demand for materials specialists who understand earth science fundamentals. Acceptance rates across all five programs exceed 87%, making geological sciences one of the more accessible STEM fields. While graduation rates vary from 47.80% at Fort Hays to 70.50% at Kansas State, the consistent $31,974 earning potential reflects steady employment in environmental consulting and energy sectors.
5
Programs
$13,493 – $17,883
Net Price Range
$31,974
Avg. Program Earnings
58.6%
Avg. Graduation Rate

5 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $13,493 $5,633 47.8% 88.0%
2 $13,776 $9,322 51.4% 94.9%
3 $15,702 $7,356 54.3% 95.7%
4 $17,365 $11,700 68.8% 87.8%
5 $17,883 $10,942 70.5% 95.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $4,390 cost difference between the cheapest and most expensive programs?

Fort Hays State University's rural location in western Kansas keeps operational costs low, resulting in a $13,493 net price compared to Kansas State's $17,883. The University of Kansas, despite being the state flagship, costs $17,365 due to higher research infrastructure expenses.

How do graduation rates correlate with program costs in Kansas geological sciences?

Higher-cost programs show better completion rates, with Kansas State achieving 70.50% graduation compared to Fort Hays State's 47.80%. The University of Kansas graduates 68.80% of students despite moderate debt levels averaging $26,469.

Does the consistent $31,974 earning figure indicate limited career growth?

This early-career baseline reflects entry-level positions in environmental consulting and materials testing common in Kansas. The state's agriculture and aerospace industries provide steady demand for geological expertise in soil analysis and materials science applications.

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