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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region

127 Ranked Colleges
1,121 Degrees Awarded
$32,900 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Geology & Earth Sciences is the 125th most popular major in the country with 6,024 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.

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.

For this year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region” ranking, we looked at 127 colleges that offer a degree in geology and earth sciences. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in geology and earth sciences.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region” list to help you make the college decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region

1

Out of the 127 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. California Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Caltech

2
Oxy crest
Occidental College
Los Angeles, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Occidental College. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Occidental College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a small population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Oxy

3
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Pacific Lutheran University
Tacoma, Washington

Out of the 127 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Pacific Lutheran University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Tacoma, Washington, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Pacific Lutheran University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

4
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Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Washington State University. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 116 students in 2020-2021.

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%.

Full Washington State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

5
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Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Western Washington University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 53 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at WWU

6
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Stanford University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 64 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Stanford

7
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Whitman College
Walla Walla, Washington

Whitman College landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Walla Walla, Washington is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 4 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Whitman College

8

University of Alaska Fairbanks did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #8. Fairbanks, Alaska is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UAF

9

University of Hawaii at Hilo ranked #9 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Hilo, Hawaii, this small public school awarded 7 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Hawaii at Hilo

10
Humboldt State University crest
Humboldt State University
Arcata, California

Humboldt State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #10. This medium-sized school is located in Arcata, California, and it awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Humboldt State University

11
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Pitzer College
Claremont, California

Pitzer College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Claremont, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 2 students in 2020-2021.

The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Pitzer

12

University of California - Santa Cruz came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 49 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Santa Cruz

13
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Alaska Pacific University
Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Pacific University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #13. Anchorage, Alaska is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 1 students in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Alaska Pacific

14

University of California - Merced did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #14. Merced, California is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UC Merced

15

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #15. 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.

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%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UCSB

16

With a ranking of #16, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a fairly large public school situated in Honolulu, Hawaii. It awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 Hawaii at Manoa

17

University of California - Irvine landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 70 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of California - Irvine

18

California State University - Bakersfield did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school handed out 16 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Bakersfield

19
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

University of Oregon came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. UO is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 University of Oregon

20
Puget Sound crest
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington

University of Puget Sound did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #20. Puget Sound is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Tacoma, Washington. It awarded 3 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Full Puget Sound Geology & Earth Sciences Report

21

California State University - Stanislaus ranked #21 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Turlock, California, this fairly large public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

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%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State University - Stanislaus

22
Western Oregon State College crest
Western Oregon University
Monmouth, Oregon

Western Oregon University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #22. Western Oregon University is located in Monmouth, Oregon and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 5 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Full Western Oregon State College Geology & Earth Sciences Report

23
CWU crest
Central Washington University
Ellensburg, Washington

Central Washington University landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region ranking. CWU is a fairly large school located in Ellensburg, Washington that handed out 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Central Washington University

24

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. California State Polytechnic University - Pomona is a public institution located in Pomona, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

25

With a ranking of #25, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school handed out 27 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, 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 91%.

Full UCR Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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