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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

108 Ranked Colleges
808 Degrees Awarded
$42,000 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 84th most popular major in the country with 8,918 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $35,533 and had an average of $23,531 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 808 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,680 and $116,043 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 108 colleges that offered a degree in geological and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geological and 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 geological and 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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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 Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k)

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Caltech is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Caltech, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Caltech

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Evanston, Illinois, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Northwestern has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northwestern University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 25 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #2. 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford

#4

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Chicago

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
#11 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Pennsylvania. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UPenn did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Pennsylvania Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#6

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#8 in overall quality

Princeton University landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Princeton University is a medium-sized school located in Princeton, New Jersey that handed out 10 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Princeton, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Princeton

#7

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Massachusetts Institute of Technology came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private not-for-profit institution located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 17 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MIT not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at MIT

#8

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#5 in overall quality

Dartmouth College ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Hanover, New Hampshire is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 2 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Dartmouth, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Dartmouth College

#9

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#14 in overall quality

Johns Hopkins University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Baltimore, Maryland. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Johns Hopkins has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins are $59,425, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Johns Hopkins University

#10

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida

University of Florida came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Florida Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#11

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#12 in overall quality

Brown University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Brown is a private not-for-profit institution located in Providence, Rhode Island. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Brown also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363.

Full Brown University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 9 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#10 in overall quality

Cornell University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #13. Cornell is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Cornell not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cornell University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#16 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#3 in overall quality

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbia is a private not-for-profit institution located in New York, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 21 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Columbia, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia University in the City of New York are $51,194.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Columbia

#16

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee

Vanderbilt University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. This fairly large school is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Vanderbilt University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

With a ranking of #17, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#18

University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, Maryland

University of Maryland - College Park ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in College Park, Maryland, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Maryland - College Park are $30,885.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Maryland - College Park

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#20

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#23 in overall quality

University of Wyoming did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UW is a public institution located in Laramie, Wyoming. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #23. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wyoming

#21

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#13 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Berkeley, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley

#25 in overall quality

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 16 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

#24

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Florida International University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Full FIU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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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