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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

37 Ranked Colleges
1,219 Degrees Awarded
$11,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Geology & Earth Sciences is the 125th most popular major in the country with 6,024 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,219 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 37 colleges that offered 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.

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.

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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 Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UF is a large school located in Gainesville, Florida that handed out 32 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UF has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $2,857 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UF.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UF

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $5,729 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #3 spot on the list. William & Mary is located in Williamsburg, Virginia and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $7,507 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Geology & Earth Sciences Report

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Tampa, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 39 students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, USF Tampa has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $5,632 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full USF Tampa Geology & Earth Sciences Report

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Tallahassee, Florida, this large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida State is $7,349 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Florida State

6
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. NC State is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for North Carolina State University is $9,448 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, 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 94%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at NC State

7
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,688 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UGA.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Georgia

8
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

With a ranking of #8, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. West Virginia University is a public institution located in Morgantown, West Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, WVU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $10,250 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full WVU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

9

Florida International University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. FIU is a large public school situated in Miami, Florida. It awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, FIU has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, 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 91%.

Full FIU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

10

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and it awarded 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Louisiana State University, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Louisiana State University is $15,403 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Louisiana State University

11
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

With a ranking of #11, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, and it awarded 177 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mississippi State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State University is $13,553 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Mississippi State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

12
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #12, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Appalachian State is located in Boone, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $9,940 for southeast region geology 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 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%.

Full Appalachian State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

13

University of Louisiana at Lafayette came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public institution located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UL Lafayette, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UL Lafayette is $11,697 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UL Lafayette

14

With a ranking of #14, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 75 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $13,226 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 University of North Carolina at Charlotte Geology & Earth Sciences Report

15

With a ranking of #15, The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $13,970 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Full The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $14,003 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Virginia Tech

17
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #17, East Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, ECU has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $13,029 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full East Carolina University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

18
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

With a ranking of #18, Georgia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Georgia State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The yearly cost to attend Georgia State is $15,767 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Georgia State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

19

University of North Carolina at Wilmington landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of North Carolina at Wilmington is a public institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UNCW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $14,643 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low undergrad 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%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UNCW

20
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

With a ranking of #20, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $10,661 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University

21
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

With a ranking of #21, Western Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. WCU is a fairly large school located in Cullowhee, North Carolina that handed out 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $11,625 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend WCU.

Full WCU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

22
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

ETSU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $10,965 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full ETSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

23
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

With a ranking of #23, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UK has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UK is $13,424 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

24
Radford crest
Radford University
Radford, Virginia

Radford University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Radford University is a public institution located in Radford, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Radford University is $13,026 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Radford University

25

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 25 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $16,404 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UofSC.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UofSC

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