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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

29 Ranked Colleges
1,121 Degrees Awarded
$7,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region 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. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 6,024 people earned their degree in geology and earth sciences, making the major the 125th most popular in the United States.

Across the Far Western US region, there were 1,121 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geology and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,233 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Stanford Geology & Earth Sciences Report

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Caltech is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Caltech also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $-539 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k. A negative average net price may seem strange, but it generally means that financial aid will more than cover the cost to attend the school.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Caltech

3

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school handed out 43 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $5,194 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full University of Washington - Seattle Campus Geology & Earth Sciences Report

4

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UCLA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UCLA also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $9,037 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCLA

6

With a ranking of #6, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UCSB also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $10,568 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCSB.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

7

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - San Diego is located in La Jolla, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UCSD did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCSD is $9,823 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego Geology & Earth Sciences Report

8

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. California State University - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

It costs about $1,887 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal State LA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal State LA

9

University of California - Davis landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 31 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,006 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC Davis.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Davis

10

California State University - Long Beach ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

CSULB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $6,663 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend California State University - Long Beach.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 California State University - Long Beach Geology & Earth Sciences Report

11

California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Cal State Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal State Fullerton is $4,590 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Cal State Fullerton

12

University of California - Irvine landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Irvine is $6,540 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 1.4% 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 Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine

13

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 49 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $11,038 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

14

University of California - Riverside did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. UCR is a public institution located in Riverside, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCR is $6,810 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Riverside

15

With a ranking of #15, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a large public school situated in Pomona, California. It awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $10,349 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Cal Poly Pomona.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal Poly Pomona Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16

University of Nevada - Las Vegas came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNLV is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $8,991 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

17
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $7,169 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, 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 89%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University

18

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Reno, Nevada, and it awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UNR also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Reno is $11,795 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNR Geology & Earth Sciences Report

19
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wazzu is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 116 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $7,689 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Washington State University.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Wazzu

20

With a ranking of #20, California State University - Sacramento did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Sacramento, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 20 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Sac State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $8,163 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Sac State.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

21
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WWU is a fairly large school located in Bellingham, Washington that handed out 53 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

WWU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for WWU is $9,979 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at WWU

22

With a ranking of #22, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. California State University - Stanislaus is a public institution located in Turlock, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $4,122 for far western us region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Stan State.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Stan State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

23

California State University - Northridge ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Northridge, California, this large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Northridge is $6,266 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full CSUN Geology & Earth Sciences Report

24
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

With a ranking of #24, Central Washington University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. CWU is a fairly large public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

CWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend CWU is $10,796 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Central Washington University

25

University of California - Merced landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Merced did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Merced is $10,363 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 86%.

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

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