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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Geophysical Engineering (Income $30-$48k)

14 Ranked Colleges
215 Degrees Awarded
$11,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor's For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking.

Geological & Geophysical Engineering is the 643rd most popular major in the country with 418 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 215 geological and geophysical engineering graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,303 and $24,501 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 14 colleges that offered a degree in geological and geophysical engineering. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geological and geophysical engineering programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geological and geophysical engineering program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 14 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Geophysical Engineering (Income $30-$48k)

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $6,860 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - Madison.

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 student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#2

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado School of Mines landed the #2 spot on the list. Mines is a medium-sized school located in Golden, Colorado that handed out 55 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

Mines also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mines is $17,832 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Mines Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#3

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,254 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Geophysical Engineering at University of California - Los Angeles

#6 in overall quality

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Michigan Technological University landed the #4 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Houghton, Michigan, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan Tech, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan Technological University is $9,049 for Bachelor’s Degree Geological & Geophysical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Michigan Tech Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#5

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 7 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,418 for Bachelor’s Degree Geological & Geophysical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 93%.

Read full report on Geological & Geophysical Engineering at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#6

University of Mississippi

University, Mississippi
#5 in overall quality

University of Mississippi came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Mississippi is located in University, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 35 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ole Miss has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ole Miss is $11,566 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Mississippi Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#8 in overall quality

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public institution located in Rolla, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Missouri University of Science and Technology not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Missouri University of Science and Technology is $10,660 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#3 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also made our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $13,575 for Bachelor’s Degree Geological & Geophysical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Austin.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geological & Geophysical Engineering at UT Austin

#13 in overall quality

University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. University of Alaska Fairbanks is a medium-sized public school situated in Fairbanks, Alaska. It awarded 9 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UAF also made our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend UAF is $7,341 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Alaska Fairbanks Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#11 in overall quality

Montana Technological University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Butte, Montana, this small public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Montana Tech, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Montana Technological University is $12,562 for Bachelor’s Degree Geological & Geophysical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Montana Tech Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#11

University of North Dakota

Grand Forks, North Dakota
#9 in overall quality

University of North Dakota came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

UND also made our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UND is $11,916 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Geophysical Engineering at UND

#12

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#12 in overall quality

University of Utah ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, U of U has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U of U is $13,192 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 89%.

Read more about Geological & Geophysical Engineering at University of Utah

#14 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNR is a large public school situated in Reno, Nevada. It awarded 14 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNR has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,716 for bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nevada - Reno.

Full UNR Geological & Geophysical Engineering Report

#10 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SD Mines is a small public school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 15 bachelors’s geological and geophysical engineering degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree geological & geophysical engineering students whose families make $30-$48k list, SD Mines has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,644 for Bachelor’s Degree Geological & Geophysical Engineering students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Geophysical Engineering at SD Mines

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Notes and References

References

  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) serves as the core of our data about colleges.
  • Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
  • Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

  • *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
  • Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.

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