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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

12 Ranked Colleges
400 Degrees Awarded
$16,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

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 Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 Rocky Mountains region, there were 400 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 12 colleges that offer a degree in geology and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geology and earth sciences programs and cost less that 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college decision.

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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region geology students with aid.

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

1
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UW did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UW is $11,085 for rocky mountains region geology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Wyoming

2
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. U of U is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

U of U also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend U of U is $13,572 for rocky mountains region geology students with aid.

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 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full U of U Geology & Earth Sciences Report

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for BYU is $13,474 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students with aid.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full BYU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

4

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $18,679 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students with aid per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.

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 85%.

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

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Boise State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid. Boise State is a large public school situated in Boise, Idaho. It awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boise State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Boise State University is $16,153 for rocky mountains region geology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Boise State

6
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. U of I is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of I, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Idaho is $13,964 for rocky mountains region geology students with aid.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at U of I

7
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bozeman, Montana, and it awarded 47 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

MSU Bozeman also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $19,453 for rocky mountains region geology students with aid per year to attend Montana State University.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Montana State University

8

University of Colorado Boulder did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. University of Colorado Boulder is a large school located in Boulder, Colorado that handed out 59 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $20,967 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students with aid.

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

Full University of Colorado Boulder Geology & Earth Sciences Report

9

University of Northern Colorado ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Northern Colorado is a public institution located in Greeley, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 22 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Northern Colorado, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $15,570 for rocky mountains region geology students with aid.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

10
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #10. Colorado School of Mines is a medium-sized school located in Golden, Colorado that handed out 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region geology students with aid list, Mines has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado School of Mines is $27,114 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Mines

11

Metropolitan State University of Denver ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a public institution located in Denver, Colorado. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MSU Denver, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Denver is $14,313 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students with aid.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at MSU Denver

12
FLC crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, Colorado

Fort Lewis College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. FLC is a small school located in Durango, Colorado that handed out 10 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

FLC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for FLC is $16,255 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students with aid.

Full Fort Lewis College Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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