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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

15 Ranked Colleges
284 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

Across the Plains States region, there were 382 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 284 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 15 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.

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

The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region

#10 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Morris landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Morris, Minnesota, this small public school awarded 1 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UMN Morris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Minnesota - Morris is $7,558 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 UMN Morris

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #2 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a large school located in Minneapolis, Minnesota that handed out 14 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $12,556 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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 93%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Mizzou is $13,145 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Mizzou

#4

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Northern Iowa. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNI has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Iowa is $15,729 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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 86%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

Out of the 15 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Duluth landed the #5 spot on the list. UMN Duluth is located in Duluth, Minnesota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UMN Duluth did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $12,438 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UMN Duluth

#8 in overall quality

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Iowa State University is a large school located in Ames, Iowa that handed out 16 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Iowa State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Iowa State is $14,161 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%.

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

#7

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#5 in overall quality

Kansas State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Manhattan, Kansas, this large public school awarded 11 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

K -State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $16,889 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at K -State

#13 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwest, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $11,988 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest Missouri State University.

Full Northwest Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#12 in overall quality

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

FHSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $12,549 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Fort Hays State University.

Full Fort Hays State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#10

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#3 in overall quality

University of Kansas came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lawrence, Kansas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 21 students in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $17,132 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Kansas Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#1 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a small public school situated in Rapid City, South Dakota. It awarded 11 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

SD Mines also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is $20,299 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at SD Mines

#11 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Missouri State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $16,204 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Missouri State

#13

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#15 in overall quality

Wichita State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Wichita, Kansas, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

WSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $14,386 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Wichita State University

#14

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

UMKC also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $14,571 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Missouri - Kansas City.

Full UMKC Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#15

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Saint Peter, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Gustavus Adolphus also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $14,548 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Gustavus Adolphus College.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Gustavus Adolphus 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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