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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

146 Ranked Colleges
1,233 Degrees Awarded
$39,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master'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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,233 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 146 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

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 Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and it awarded 1 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at MIT are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at MIT

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 146 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 25 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Stanford

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Columbia University in the City of New York. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. New York, New York is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Columbia Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Out of the 146 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Pennsylvania landed the #5 spot on the list. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 1 students in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Pennsylvania are $41,760, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Pennsylvania

#6

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#7 in overall quality

Princeton University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Princeton, New Jersey is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Princeton has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Princeton University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#8

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#4 in overall quality

Dartmouth College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Hanover, New Hampshire, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Dartmouth also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Dartmouth

#9

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#11 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell is a large school located in Ithaca, New York that handed out 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Cornell University

#10

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#13 in overall quality

Brown University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 10 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Brown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Brown University are $60,363, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Brown Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#11

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#16 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Johns Hopkins is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Johns Hopkins University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#12

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UF

#13

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#20 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’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 Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

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

#14

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#17 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UNC Chapel Hill

#15

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Vanderbilt University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

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

Full Vanderbilt University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#16

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California Institute of Technology is located in Pasadena, California and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#17

The City College of New York

New York, New York

With a ranking of #17, The City College of New York did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in New York, New York, this fairly large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at The City College of New York are $20,832, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The City College of New York Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#18

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Boston College is located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Boston College

#19

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#24 in overall quality

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. UW is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW are $16,615.

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

#20

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Purdue University - Main Campus is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Purdue

California State University - Los Angeles landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Los Angeles, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Los Angeles

California State University - Long Beach landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at CSULB

California State University - Fullerton ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cal State Fullerton is located in Fullerton, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

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

#21 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#25

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, University of Arizona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tucson, Arizona, and it awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Arizona 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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