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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

19 Ranked Colleges
380 Degrees Awarded
$18,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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

Across the Rocky Mountains region, there were 496 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 380 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,111 and $23,874 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 19 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 19 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, BYU - I has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Idaho is $9,850 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Brigham Young University - Idaho

#2

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Wyoming is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 22 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wyoming is $14,958 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UW

#3

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Utah. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Utah is a large public school situated in Salt Lake City, Utah. It awarded 34 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U of U also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Utah is $17,718 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 89%.

Full U of U Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. BYU is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BYU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $15,362 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Brigham Young University - Provo.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Brigham Young University - Provo

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Weber State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Ogden, Utah, this large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

WSU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #10. The yearly cost to attend WSU is $15,088 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at WSU

#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, University of Northern Colorado did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Greeley, Colorado is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #11. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $18,599 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Northern Colorado

#7

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
#9 in overall quality

The University of Montana landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Missoula, Montana, this medium-sized public school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UM also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $18,209 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UM.

Full UM Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of Idaho

Moscow, Idaho
#8 in overall quality

University of Idaho came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. U of I is a public institution located in Moscow, Idaho. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U of I also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend U of I is $17,509 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Idaho Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

Utah Valley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. UVU is a large school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 9 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UVU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #19. It costs about $12,141 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UVU.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Utah Valley University

#4 in overall quality

Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a public institution located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Colorado State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins is $24,440 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Colorado State University - Fort Collins

#11

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
#15 in overall quality

Utah State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #11. USU is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 14 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $16,895 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend USU.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at USU

#12

Fort Lewis College

Durango, Colorado
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Fort Lewis College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Durango, Colorado is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

FLC also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $19,449 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Fort Lewis College.

Full FLC Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#13

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado
#13 in overall quality

Western Colorado University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Gunnison, Colorado, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Western not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Colorado University is $19,264 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Western

#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a fairly large school located in Denver, Colorado that handed out 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Denver also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Metropolitan State University of Denver is $18,397 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at MSU Denver

#15

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
#6 in overall quality

Montana State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Bozeman, Montana, this fairly large public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

MSU Bozeman not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Bozeman is $21,587 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Montana State University

#16

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
#14 in overall quality

Boise State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Boise, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

Boise State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Boise State University is $19,550 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Boise State University

#17

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#2 in overall quality

University of Colorado Boulder ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. CU - Boulder is a large public school situated in Boulder, Colorado. It awarded 51 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU - Boulder, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CU - Boulder is $25,863 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Colorado Boulder

#18

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
#17 in overall quality

Colorado Mesa University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Colorado Mesa is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Colorado Mesa also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend Colorado Mesa is $18,596 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Colorado Mesa

#19

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho
#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, Idaho State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. ISU is located in Pocatello, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

ISU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Idaho State University is $19,875 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

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

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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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