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2022 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

24 Ranked Colleges
963 Degrees Awarded
$11,600 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Geology & Earth Sciences is the 101st most popular major in the country with 7,036 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Southwest region, there were 963 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 24 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geology and earth sciences 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

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

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $10,562 for Southwest 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 85%.

Full University of Arizona Geology & Earth Sciences Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 100 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $11,454 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low 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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M University - College Station

#3

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas Tech is a large public school situated in Lubbock, Texas. It awarded 48 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,317 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas Tech.

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 Texas Tech University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas of the Permian Basin landed the #4 spot on the list. UT Permian Basin is a medium-sized school located in Odessa, Texas that handed out 28 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $7,889 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Permian Basin.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UT Permian Basin

#5

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Houston. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 66 students in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston is $10,203 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

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

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UTSA is a large school located in San Antonio, Texas that handed out 32 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $10,516 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UTSA

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 64 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $12,203 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UT Austin.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 UT Austin

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 24 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Arizona State University - Tempe is $7,044 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at ASU - Tempe

#9

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

With a ranking of #9, MSU Texas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. MSU Texas is a medium-sized school located in Wichita Falls, Texas that handed out 23 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, MSU Texas has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Texas is $7,703 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at MSU Texas

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 36 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $8,669 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend OSU.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NMSU Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 18 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NMSU Main Campus, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $6,896 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NMSU Main Campus.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Richardson, Texas, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $10,857 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Texas at Dallas.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full The University of Texas at Dallas Geology & Earth Sciences Report

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 34 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UTEP has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,092 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UTEP.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

University of Houston - Downtown landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UH Downtown is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Downtown also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend UH Downtown is $5,065 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Houston - Downtown

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. The University of Texas at Arlington is a public institution located in Arlington, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 38 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Arlington is $11,811 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UT Arlington Geology & Earth Sciences Report

With a ranking of #16, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 32 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $16,675 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Oklahoma.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #17, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 41 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, NAU has also earned the #21 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NAU is $9,251 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Northern Arizona University

With a ranking of #18, Stephen F Austin State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. SFASU is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

SFASU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend SFASU is $8,650 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full SFASU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#19

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 8 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SHSU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SHSU is $10,561 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Sam Houston State University

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Tarleton is a public institution located in Stephenville, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Tarleton State University is $15,604 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Tarleton

#21

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNM, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,242 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

#22

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M Corpus Christi is located in Corpus Christi, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Texas A&M Corpus Christi not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is $15,501 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Texas Christian University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Fort Worth, Texas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

TCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $21,286 for southwest region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Texas Christian University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Texas Christian University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#24

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baylor is located in Waco, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Baylor also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #8. It costs about $26,726 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Baylor University.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 Baylor Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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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.

Credits

  • Credit for the banner image above goes to Kelvinsong.

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