2024 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Southwest Region
16
Ranked Colleges
780
Degrees Awarded
$16,100
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 in the Southwest Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 6,024 people earned their degree in geology & earth sciences, making the major the 125th most popular in the United States.
Across the Southwest region, there were 780 geology & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking looked at 16 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology & earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geology & earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geology & earth sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools
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 Southwest Region”.
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. 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 Southwest Region
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region.
Top 16 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Southwest Region
Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 60 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region geology students list, UH has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $13,721 for southwest region geology students per year to attend University of Houston.
With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Houston
Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 30 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
OSU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is $14,237 for Southwest Region Geology students.
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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at OSU
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #3 on our 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region list. Located in College Station, Texas, this large public school awarded 108 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region geology students list, Texas A&M College Station has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - College Station is $18,919 for Southwest Region Geology students.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Texas A&M College Station Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region that were part of this year’s ranking, The University of Texas at Austin landed the #4 spot on the list. Austin, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Austin is $18,350 for southwest 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 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%.
Full UT Austin Geology & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas Tech University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 47 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $16,194 for Southwest Region Geology students per year to attend Texas Tech.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Texas Tech University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region list. UTSA is a large public school situated in San Antonio, Texas. It awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UTSA also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $10,549 for Southwest Region Geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 5.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Norman, Oklahoma, and it awarded 29 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $21,122 for Southwest Region Geology students per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.
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 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Northern Arizona University came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Flagstaff, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Northern Arizona University is $14,308 for Southwest Region Geology students.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Northern Arizona University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. UTEP is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UTEP also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,000 for Southwest Region Geology students per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UTEP
University of Houston - Downtown landed the #10 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Houston - Downtown is a fairly large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 18 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UH Downtown did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UH Downtown is $12,044 for southwest region geology students.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Houston - Downtown Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
ASU - Tempe did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,107 for Southwest Region Geology students per year to attend Arizona State University - Tempe.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 Arizona State University - Tempe
University of Arizona came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 48 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southwest region geology students list, University of Arizona has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $13,358 for southwest region geology students.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Arizona
The University of Texas at Arlington landed the #13 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. Located in Arlington, Texas, this large public school awarded 17 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Arlington is $15,509 for Southwest Region Geology students.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% 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%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Arlington
Sam Houston State University landed the #14 spot on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region ranking. This large school is located in Huntsville, Texas, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
SHSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SHSU is $15,035 for Southwest Region Geology students.
Full SHSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #15, The University of Texas at Dallas did quite well on the 2024 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region list. The University of Texas at Dallas is a large public school situated in Richardson, Texas. It awarded 32 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $15,526 for Southwest Region Geology students per year to attend UT Dallas.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UT Dallas
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