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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

23 Ranked Colleges
156 Degrees Awarded
$30,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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

Across the Great Lakes region, there were 951 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 156 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” ranking, we looked at 23 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region” 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. 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region.

Top 23 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. UW - Madison is a public institution located in Madison, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#2

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois
#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northern Illinois University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. NIU is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

NIU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Full NIU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#3

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#20 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Indiana State University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Indiana State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State University are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Indiana State University

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Purdue University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students list, Purdue has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

#16 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio University - Athens Campus. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. OHIO Athens is a large school located in Athens, Ohio that handed out 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

OHIO Athens did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at OHIO Athens

#15 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #6. Kent State University at Kent is located in Kent, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students list, Kent State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Kent State

#7

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#13 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Ball State University is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students list, Ball State has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204.

Full Ball State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#9

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355.

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

#14 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students list, UC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus

#17 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IUPUI also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

#12

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at IU Bloomington are $33,338.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

#13

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#19 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking, coming in at #13. This large school is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#23 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. University of Akron Main Campus is a public institution located in Akron, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Akron Main Campus, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

#12 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. SIUC is a fairly large public school situated in Carbondale, Illinois. It awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

SIUC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at SIUC

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

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

#22 in overall quality

Wright State University - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wright State University - Main Campus also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286.

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

#18

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#8 in overall quality

Michigan State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. East Lansing, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students list, Ohio State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141.

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

#20

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#21 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Wayne State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Wayne State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#21

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#3 in overall quality

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#11 in overall quality

Case Western Reserve University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region list. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Case Western also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western are $47,958, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Case Western

#23

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region ranking. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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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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