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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

29 Ranked Colleges
731 Degrees Awarded
$20,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking.

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 Great Lakes region, there were 731 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 29 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geology and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

1
Northwestern crest
Northwestern University
Evanston, Illinois

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 21 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Northwestern also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $15,686 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Northwestern

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. U-M is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 62 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,207 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, 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.

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

3
Beloit crest
Beloit College
Beloit, Wisconsin

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Beloit College. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Beloit College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beloit, Wisconsin. It awarded 7 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Beloit also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend Beloit College is $12,822 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Beloit

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 46 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, UW - Madison has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $22,377 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full UW - Madison Geology & Earth Sciences Report

5
Purdue crest
Purdue University - Main Campus
West Lafayette, Indiana

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Purdue is a large school located in West Lafayette, Indiana that handed out 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Purdue also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Purdue University - Main Campus is $17,124 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Purdue

6

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,400 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

7

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

IU Bloomington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $20,234 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend IU Bloomington.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Indiana University - Bloomington

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UW - River Falls also took the #19 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,739 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW - River Falls

9

Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, Ohio State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Full Ohio State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

10

University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UW - Eau Claire also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $18,816 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW - Eau Claire.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW - Eau Claire

11

With a ranking of #11, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UIC is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, UIC has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Chicago is $19,839 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

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%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Illinois at Chicago

12
Ball State crest
Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana

With a ranking of #12, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Ball State is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ball State University is $19,563 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Ball State University

13

Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. BGSU is located in Bowling Green, Ohio and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend BGSU is $20,603 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full BGSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

14

Wright State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Dayton, Ohio. It awarded 37 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Wright State University - Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Wright State University - Main Campus is $19,004 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus

15
WMU crest
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

WMU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $23,726 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Full WMU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #16. Indianapolis, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2020-2021.

IUPUI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $17,844 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at IUPUI

17
Michigan State crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan

Michigan State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in East Lansing, Michigan, and it awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $25,297 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 91%.

Full Michigan State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

18

Grand Valley State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 11 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

GVSU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $19,603 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend GVSU.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Grand Valley State University

19
Wayne State crest
Wayne State University
Detroit, Michigan

Wayne State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 15 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $17,814 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Wayne State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

20
Eastern Michigan crest
Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. This fairly large school is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, and it awarded 6 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $18,563 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Eastern Michigan University

21

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is located in Cincinnati, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UC is $24,534 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

22

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

University of Akron Main Campus also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Akron Main Campus is $20,778 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Geology & Earth Sciences Report

23

Miami University - Oxford ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 35 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Miami University - Oxford also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend Miami University - Oxford is $26,704 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Miami University - Oxford

24
Indiana State crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, Indiana

Indiana State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #24. Indiana State University is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $19,566 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Indiana State University.

Full Indiana State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

25

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee landed the #25 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $20,785 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full UWM Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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