Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Geological & Earth Sciences

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

22 Ranked Colleges
127 Degrees Awarded
$28,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

In 2019-2020, 8,918 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 84th most popular in the United States. 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.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,684 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,940 and $23,131 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 127 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,978 and $116,300 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer 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.

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 geological and earth sciences program at the school. 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 22 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UF also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UF

#2

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Vanderbilt University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Vanderbilt not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt are $50,624.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Vanderbilt

#3

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a large school located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina that handed out 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Chapel Hill, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. 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.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UNC Chapel Hill

#18 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida International University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at FIU are $24,211, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at FIU

#5

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida State

University of South Florida - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. USF Tampa is located in Tampa, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USF Tampa, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at USF Tampa are $21,126, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at USF Tampa

#7

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#7 in overall quality

University of Georgia did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Athens, Georgia, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UGA also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Georgia Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#1 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Louisiana State University also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University are $29,970, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Louisiana State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

Virginia Tech landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Blacksburg, Virginia, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Virginia Tech

#10

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#21 in overall quality

Florida Atlantic University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Florida Atlantic University is a large school located in Boca Raton, Florida that handed out 1 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

FAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida Atlantic University are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Florida Atlantic University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#11

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Virginia University is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at WVU

#17 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Knoxville is a large school located in Knoxville, Tennessee that handed out 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Knoxville did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville are $31,798, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

#13

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of Kentucky did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Kentucky are $33,216, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UK

#14

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#9 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UofSC also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UofSC

#15

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Arkansas did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Arkansas is a public institution located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UARK also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arkansas are $22,121.

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

#16

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi
#16 in overall quality

University of Southern Mississippi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. University of Southern Mississippi is a public institution located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Southern Miss has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896.

Full Southern Miss Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17

George Mason University

Fairfax, Virginia
#11 in overall quality

George Mason University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. GMU is a public institution located in Fairfax, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

GMU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at George Mason University are $37,410.

Full GMU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#18

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi
#10 in overall quality

Mississippi State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Mississippi State has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi State are $23,950, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Mississippi State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#19

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Memphis is a large public school situated in Memphis, Tennessee. It awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofM has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UofM are $14,202.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UofM

#20

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#12 in overall quality

The University of Alabama did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. Tuscaloosa, Alabama 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.

UA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Alabama

#21

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, Auburn University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Auburn is a large public school situated in Auburn, Alabama. It awarded 2 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Auburn also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Auburn are $31,956, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Auburn Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#22

University of Miami

Coral Gables, Florida
#3 in overall quality

University of Miami landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. U Miami is located in Coral Gables, Florida and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

U Miami also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Miami are $40,220.

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

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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