2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
30
Ranked Colleges
818
Degrees Awarded
$8,700
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 7,821 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 818 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,990 and $23,096 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geological and earth sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geological and earth sciences programs, but they also cost less that 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.
More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
The geology 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 Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.
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. 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 Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $245 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 97%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern
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 Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,500 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UChicago
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 62 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend U-M is $2,670 for Great Lakes Region Geology 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 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at U-M
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #4 spot on the list. UW - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 50 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Madison is $3,981 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UW - Madison
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIUC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $4,858 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIUC.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UIUC
Purdue University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $5,995 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at Purdue
With a ranking of #7, Michigan State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 34 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Michigan State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Michigan State is $6,927 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 2.6% 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at Michigan State
Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IU Bloomington is a large school located in Bloomington, Indiana that handed out 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington
With a ranking of #9, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Columbus, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.
Ohio State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Geology 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus
Beloit College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Beloit, Wisconsin, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 7 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Beloit not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit College is $7,970 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Beloit College Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #11, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $7,026 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend IUPUI.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at IUPUI
Ball State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Ball State is $8,273 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #13, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $8,438 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%.
Full UW - River Falls Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 23 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UIC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,549 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Illinois at Chicago.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UIC
With a ranking of #15, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
WMU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for WMU is $13,112 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Michigan University
With a ranking of #16, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 35 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Full Miami University - Oxford Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is a fairly large school located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin that handed out 8 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $9,547 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Grand Valley State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Allendale, Michigan, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
GVSU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $10,259 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Grand Valley State University
Indiana State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana State University is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 10 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,104 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Indiana State.
Full Indiana State Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UC has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $15,061 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 UC Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Illinois State University came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State University is a public institution located in Normal, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State University is $13,783 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Illinois State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #22, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wright State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Dayton, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 37 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Wright State University - Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $11,980 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
BGSU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $14,079 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full BGSU Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #24, Wayne State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Wayne State is located in Detroit, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 15 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $11,060 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Wayne State Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #25. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
UWM also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $11,973 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UWM
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