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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region

36 Ranked Colleges
1,540 Degrees Awarded
$14,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 7,821 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,540 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,423 and $24,357 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking analyzed 36 colleges that offered a degree in geological and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geological and earth sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geological and earth sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region”.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Southeast Region

1
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Carolina University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Cullowhee, North Carolina is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,924 for Southeast Region Geology students per year to attend Western Carolina University.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at WCU

2

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. USF Tampa is a large public school situated in Tampa, Florida. It awarded 50 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students list, USF Tampa has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $8,346 for southeast region geology students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of South Florida - Main Campus

3
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Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Mississippi State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Mississippi State University is a large public school situated in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It awarded 181 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,122 for Southeast Region Geology students per year to attend Mississippi State.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Mississippi State University

4
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East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, East Tennessee State University landed the #4 spot on the list. ETSU is a fairly large public school situated in Johnson City, Tennessee. It awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

ETSU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,894 for southeast region geology students per year to attend ETSU.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at ETSU

5
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Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida Atlantic University landed the #5 spot on the list. Florida Atlantic University is a large public school situated in Boca Raton, Florida. It awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend FAU is $10,735 for southeast region geology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full FAU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

6
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 32 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students list, UF has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,135 for southeast region geology students per year to attend University of Florida.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Florida

7

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #7. UNCW is located in Wilmington, North Carolina and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $19,136 for southeast region geology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

8
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West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $13,355 for Southeast Region Geology students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at WVU

9

University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #9. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 75 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Charlotte, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $17,634 for southeast region geology students per year to attend UNC Charlotte.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Charlotte

10
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

Florida State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Florida State University is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 33 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students list, Florida State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State University is $9,946 for Southeast Region Geology students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida State

11
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East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. East Carolina University is a large public school situated in Greenville, North Carolina. It awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $16,550 for southeast region geology students per year to attend ECU.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at East Carolina University

12
UofM crest
University of Memphis
Memphis, Tennessee

University of Memphis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #12. Memphis, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $13,904 for Southeast Region Geology students per year to attend UofM.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UofM

13

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this large public school handed out 72 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $17,811 for southeast region geology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

14
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #14, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Boone, North Carolina, and it awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,989 for southeast region geology students per year to attend Appalachian State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Appalachian State

15
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University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students list, UGA has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $14,257 for southeast region geology students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Georgia Geological & Earth Sciences Report

16
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #16. North Carolina State University is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

NC State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend NC State is $16,411 for Southeast Region Geology students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at North Carolina State University

17

Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #17. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

FIU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $5,298 for southeast region geology students per year to attend Florida International University.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida International University

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Lafayette, Louisiana is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 27 students in 2020-2021.

UL Lafayette did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $13,094 for southeast region geology students per year to attend UL Lafayette.

Full UL Lafayette Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19
University of West Georgia crest
University of West Georgia
Carrollton, Georgia

With a ranking of #19, University of West Georgia did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. University of West Georgia is a public institution located in Carrollton, Georgia. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of West Georgia is $16,588 for southeast region geology students.

Full University of West Georgia Geological & Earth Sciences Report

20
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students list, Virginia Tech has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $21,301 for Southeast Region Geology students per year to attend Virginia Tech.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Geological & Earth Sciences Report

21

With a ranking of #21, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 29 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Chapel Hill is $12,469 for southeast region geology students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

22

Tennessee Technological University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Cookeville, Tennessee is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $15,932 for Southeast Region Geology students per year to attend Tennessee Tech University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Tennessee Tech University

23
Austin Peay State University crest
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, Tennessee

Austin Peay State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region list. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee, this medium-sized public school handed out 17 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,845 for southeast region geology students per year to attend Austin Peay State University.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Austin Peay State University

24
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University of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

University of New Orleans did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #24. This medium-sized school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 21 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $12,140 for southeast region geology students per year to attend University of New Orleans.

Full University of New Orleans Geological & Earth Sciences Report

25
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region ranking. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Georgia State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia State is $17,242 for southeast region geology students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Georgia State

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