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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

23 Ranked Colleges
565 Degrees Awarded
$16,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Southwest region, there were 963 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 565 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,896 and $23,899 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 23 colleges that offered a degree 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Top 23 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Southwest Region (With Aid)

#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Odessa, Texas is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid list, UT Permian Basin has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Permian Basin is $10,092 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Full UT Permian Basin Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Dallas. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. UT Dallas is a large school located in Richardson, Texas that handed out 15 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Dallas, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Dallas is $15,232 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas

#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Texas at Austin is a large public school situated in Austin, Texas. It awarded 28 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid list, UT Austin has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,023 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

The low 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UT Austin

#4

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Houston. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 41 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $12,838 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend University of Houston.

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

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Houston

#5

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 23 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school awarded 58 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Arizona is $15,016 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Arizona

#6

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#4 in overall quality

Texas Tech University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Texas Tech is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $17,571 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid per year to attend Texas Tech University.

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

Full Texas Tech University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#7

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#15 in overall quality

MSU Texas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. MSU Texas is a medium-sized public school situated in Wichita Falls, Texas. It awarded 15 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Texas also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $10,045 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend MSU Texas.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at MSU Texas

#13 in overall quality

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 24 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,853 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend UTSA.

Full The University of Texas at San Antonio Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#1 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - College Station ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 57 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M College Station is $19,057 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Texas A&M College Station Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UTEP is a large school located in El Paso, Texas that handed out 19 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid list, UTEP has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UTEP is $8,920 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

#16 in overall quality

University of Houston - Downtown ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Houston - Downtown is a fairly large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 19 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Downtown, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston - Downtown is $6,848 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UH Downtown

#17 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend NMSU Main Campus is $8,659 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

#10 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. OSU is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

OSU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $14,648 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

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

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at OSU

#11 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Arlington came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Arlington is $14,246 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UT Arlington

#15

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Tarleton State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. Tarleton is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 10 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $18,979 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend Tarleton State University.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Tarleton

#16

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas
#21 in overall quality

Sam Houston State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Sam Houston State University is a large public school situated in Huntsville, Texas. It awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Sam Houston State University is $14,617 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Full SHSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#17

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas
#19 in overall quality

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Corpus Christi, Texas, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $16,332 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Full Texas A&M Corpus Christi Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#22 in overall quality

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #18. Nacogdoches, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFASU, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,723 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid per year to attend SFASU.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Stephen F Austin State University

#19

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#23 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UNM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $14,446 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend University of New Mexico - Main Campus.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#20

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. NAU is a public institution located in Flagstaff, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 27 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $12,915 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Full NAU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Oklahoma is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $21,145 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Oklahoma

#22

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Baylor University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid list. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Baylor University is $36,039 for Southwest Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Baylor

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas
#14 in overall quality

Texas Christian University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southwest Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at TCU, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas Christian University is $36,811 for southwest region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Texas Christian 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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