College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

22 Ranked Colleges
243 Degrees Awarded
$9,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2020-2021, 243 people earned their degree in geophysics and seismology, making the major the 757th most popular in the United States.

This year’s “Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 22 colleges that offered a degree in geophysics and seismology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geophysics and seismology 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 geophysics and seismology program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Geophysics & Seismology Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Geophysics Rankings Other Ranking Categories

The geophysics 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 Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k”.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Geophysics & Seismology (Income $0-$30k)

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geophysics degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Stanford University is $1,233 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%. 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 full report on Geophysics & Seismology at Stanford University

2
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 17 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

UChicago also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,500 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at UChicago

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Institute of Technology is $-539 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k. When an average net price is negative, it usually means that the student will receive more financial aid than it costs to attend the school.

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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at California Institute of Technology

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Seattle, Washington, this large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,194 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UW Seattle

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

UC Berkeley also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Berkeley is $8,450 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 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%.

Full University of California - Berkeley Geophysics & Seismology Report

6
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 3 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $6,905 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Wyoming.

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%.

Full UW Geophysics & Seismology Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 10 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M College Station is $11,220 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Texas A&M College Station Geophysics & Seismology Report

8

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.

UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. It costs about $9,037 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UCLA.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UCLA

9

With a ranking of #9, The University of Texas at Austin did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $13,753 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at UT Austin

10
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

With a ranking of #10, University of Houston did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 42 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

UH also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston is $10,533 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.

Full UH Geophysics & Seismology Report

11

University of California - Riverside ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Riverside, California, and it awarded 3 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

UCR also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #15. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $6,810 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of California - Riverside

12

University of Nevada - Reno came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Reno, Nevada, and it awarded 5 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNR, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Reno is $11,795 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UNR

13
WWU crest
Western Washington University
Bellingham, Washington

Western Washington University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WWU is a fairly large public school situated in Bellingham, Washington. It awarded 2 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Western Washington University is $9,979 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at Western Washington University

14

With a ranking of #14, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Boulder, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geophysics degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,141 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Colorado Boulder.

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 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at CU - Boulder

15
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

University of Utah ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Utah is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k list, U of U has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,431 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend U of U.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at U of U

16
SDSU crest
San Diego State University
San Diego, California

With a ranking of #16, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 2 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. It costs about $7,169 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend SDSU.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at San Diego State University

17
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Mines is located in Golden, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mines has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,977 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mines.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at Mines

18

With a ranking of #18, The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. UTEP is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTEP, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $7,505 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at The University of Texas at El Paso

19

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,130 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, 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 90%.

Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Geophysics & Seismology Report

20

Boise State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 4 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.

Boise State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State University is $12,561 for geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 Boise State University Geophysics & Seismology Report

21

With a ranking of #21, Texas A&M University - Kingsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M University - Kingsville is a public institution located in Kingsville, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 5 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Texas A&M Kingsville also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #21. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - Kingsville is $10,240 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Texas A&M University - Kingsville Geophysics & Seismology Report

22

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 16 diplomas to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.

University of Oklahoma also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $16,103 for Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.

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

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Geophysics & Seismology Report

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options