2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region
29
Ranked Colleges
1,121
Degrees Awarded
$13,100
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.
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” ranking analyzed 29 colleges that offered 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
The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region”.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 in the Far Western US Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nevada - Reno landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Nevada - Reno is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNR, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNR is $14,930 for Far Western US Region Geology students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend CSULB is $10,054 for far western us region geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full CSULB Geology & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State Polytechnic University - Pomona. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school handed out 28 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region geology students list, Cal Poly Pomona has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for Far Western US Region Geology students.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.
Full Cal Poly Pomona Geology & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Las Vegas, Nevada, and it awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UNLV did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $10,993 for Far Western US Region Geology students per year to attend UNLV.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Western Washington University landed the #5 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 53 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region geology students list, WWU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $17,070 for far western us region geology students.
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%.
Full Western Washington University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Fullerton did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #6. Fullerton, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for Far Western US Region Geology students.
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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fullerton
With a ranking of #7, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. San Diego State University is a large school located in San Diego, California that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
SDSU also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $13,845 for far western us region geology students per year to attend San Diego State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, 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%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at San Diego State University
California State University - Sacramento came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 20 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Sac State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Sac State is $11,178 for Far Western US Region Geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Sac State
Washington State University landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Wazzu is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 116 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Wazzu did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,300 for Far Western US Region Geology students per year to attend Wazzu.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Washington State University
California State University - Northridge ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for CSUN is $8,523 for Far Western US Region Geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at CSUN
Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #11. Humboldt State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Arcata, California. It awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Humboldt State University is $14,956 for far western us region geology students.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University
With a ranking of #12, California State University - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for far western us region geology students per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
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
With a ranking of #13, California State University - Stanislaus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region 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 $6,566 for far western us region geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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.
Full Stan State Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Central Washington University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Central Washington University is a fairly large public school situated in Ellensburg, Washington. It awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
CWU also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CWU is $16,514 for far western us region geology students.
Full CWU Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 43 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $12,017 for Far Western US Region Geology students per year to attend UW Seattle.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.1% 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 UW Seattle
Portland State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. Portland State University is a large school located in Portland, Oregon that handed out 25 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Portland State University also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Portland State University is $12,498 for Far Western US Region Geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Portland State University
University of California - Berkeley landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region geology students list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $16,032 for far western us region geology students per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
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%. 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 - Berkeley
University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCSD also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $15,240 for Far Western US Region Geology students per year to attend University of California - San Diego.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego
University of Oregon did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #19. UO is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $18,047 for far western us region geology students per year to attend University of Oregon.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UO
With a ranking of #20, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Davis, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 31 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 $15,768 for far western us region geology students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Davis
University of California - Irvine ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $12,209 for far western us region geology students per year to attend University of California - Irvine.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
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. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $16,252 for far western us region geology students.
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 1.8% 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 California - Santa Barbara Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - Los Angeles came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our far western us region geology students list, UCLA has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Los Angeles is $15,023 for far western us region geology students.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of California - Los Angeles Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 49 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Santa Cruz also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for far western us region geology students.
The low undergrad 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%. 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz
With a ranking of #25, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCR also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,822 for far western us region geology students per year to attend UCR.
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%. 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UCR
