Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate

13 Ranked Colleges
84 Degrees Awarded
$34,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate

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 “Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate” ranking is part of that endeavor.

In 2019-2020, 251 people earned their degree in geophysics and seismology, making the major the 674th most popular in the United States.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 84 geophysics and seismology graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate” ranking analyzed 13 colleges that offered a degree in geophysics and seismology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geophysics and seismology programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geophysics and seismology program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 a Doctorate”.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 a Doctorate

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate.

Top 15 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geophysics & Seismology

#1

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#6 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, this fairly large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geophysics students in 2019-2020.

UW also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW are $16,615, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UW

#2

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#10 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 11 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree geophysics students list, UH has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UH

#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M University - College Station. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Texas A&M College Station Geophysics & Seismology Report

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 3 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of Oklahoma

#5

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. University of Utah is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Utah are $24,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at U of U

#6

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #6. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 4 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCLA, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UCLA

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of California - San Diego

#8

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, San Diego State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. San Diego State University is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at SDSU

#9

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Boise State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in Boise, Idaho, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Boise State, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boise State University are $26,566, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at Boise State

#10

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#11 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. This large school is located in Boulder, Colorado, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree geophysics students list, CU - Boulder has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at CU - Boulder are $32,980, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at CU - Boulder

#11

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Colorado School of Mines did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. This medium-sized school is located in Golden, Colorado, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

Mines did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mines are $39,800, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at Colorado School of Mines

#12

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Stanford University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate ranking. Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Stanford, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 15 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Stanford, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at Stanford

#13

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

University of Chicago did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of Chicago

#13

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, Massachusetts Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 doctorate’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.

MIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at MIT

#14

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Doctorate list. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 1 doctorate’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at Caltech

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.

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You