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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k)

90 Ranked Colleges
547 Degrees Awarded
$39,900 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 7,036 people earned their degree in geology and earth sciences, making the major the 101st most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 547 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 90 colleges that offer a degree in geology and earth sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geology and earth sciences programs, but they also 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 geology and earth sciences program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. 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 for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k)

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full California Institute of Technology Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Full Northwestern Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#3

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#9 in overall quality

Out of the 90 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760.

Full UPenn Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#4

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Princeton University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Princeton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Princeton University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#5

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. MIT is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

MIT also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

#6

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#4 in overall quality

Dartmouth College ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This medium-sized school is located in Hanover, New Hampshire, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth College are $58,120, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Dartmouth Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#7

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#12 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Johns Hopkins University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Baltimore, Maryland. It awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425.

Full Johns Hopkins University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Florida

#9

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#10 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brown University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Providence, Rhode Island. It awarded 11 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brown, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Brown

#10

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#17 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. U-M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

U-M also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#11

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#8 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Cornell is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Cornell University

#14 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 7 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#2 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large school located in New York, New York that handed out 21 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Columbia did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Columbia

#14

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#15

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#16

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Maryland - College Park is a large school located in College Park, Maryland that handed out 5 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Maryland - College Park

#17

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#20 in overall quality

University of Wyoming came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wyoming is a fairly large public school situated in Laramie, Wyoming. It awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW

#18

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#11 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of California - Berkeley Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#22 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 10 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW Seattle

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UIUC is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#21

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

Florida International University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Florida International University

University of California - Irvine landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 16 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine

#24

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCLA

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kelvinsong.

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