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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k

29 Ranked Colleges
1,121 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k

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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 29 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Stanford, California. It awarded 64 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford is $7,081 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Stanford

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. California Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Caltech is $9,755 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Caltech

3

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 43 students in 2020-2021.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $8,393 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

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

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $13,423 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley

5

Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Los Angeles landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UCLA also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UCLA is $12,644 for far western us region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 96%.

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

6

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Santa Barbara, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $14,583 for far western us region geology students whose families make $48-$75k 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara

7

With a ranking of #7, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. 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.

The estimated yearly cost for Cal State LA is $5,700 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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 California State University - Los Angeles

7

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Davis, California, this large public school handed out 31 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UC Davis also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend UC Davis is $14,193 for far western us region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Davis Geology & Earth Sciences Report

9

University of California - San Diego came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UCSD also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for UCSD is $14,310 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego

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 $48-$75k list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 16 ’s geology degrees 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. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $11,189 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at CSULB

11

University of California - Irvine landed the #11 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Irvine, California, this large public school handed out 70 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UC Irvine is $13,275 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

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

12

California State University - Fullerton came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cal State Fullerton is a public institution located in Fullerton, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Cal State Fullerton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $9,017 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. 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

13

University of California - Riverside came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our far western us region geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,126 for far western us region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UCR

14

University of Nevada - Las Vegas ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNLV is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UNLV also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $11,929 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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 University of Nevada - Las Vegas

15

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Santa Cruz is a public institution located in Santa Cruz, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $15,567 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UC Santa Cruz Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16

With a ranking of #16, University of Nevada - Reno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNR is located in Reno, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNR also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $15,106 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Nevada - Reno.

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 University of Nevada - Reno Geology & Earth Sciences Report

17

With a ranking of #17, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.

Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,958 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k 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 California State Polytechnic University - Pomona Geology & Earth Sciences Report

18

California State University - Sacramento came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. 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 $48-$75k list, Sac State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sac State is $12,602 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Sac State

19

With a ranking of #19, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Turlock, California, and it awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $7,976 for far western us region 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%. 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 California State University - Stanislaus

20
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. SDSU is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $14,698 for far western us region 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 undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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 San Diego State University

21
Wazzu crest
Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Washington State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school awarded 116 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wazzu, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $14,233 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wazzu.

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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Wazzu

22

California State University - Northridge came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. CSUN is a public institution located in Northridge, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $10,780 for far western us region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%.

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

23
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Washington University is $16,819 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Western Washington University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

24

Portland State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Portland, Oregon, and it awarded 25 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Portland State University, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Portland State University is $12,964 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

25
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

With a ranking of #25, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UO also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $16,014 for Far Western US Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Oregon.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UO

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