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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

30 Ranked Colleges
328 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Far Western US region, there were 1,851 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,136 and $22,606 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 328 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US 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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 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 Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Caltech are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology

#2

Stanford University

Stanford, California

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #2 spot on the list. Located in Stanford, California, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 36 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #3 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal State LA

#15 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892.

Full Cal State Fullerton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 18 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW Seattle are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#13 in overall quality

California State University - Long Beach landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSULB has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Long Beach are $17,784, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Long Beach

University of California - Berkeley ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Berkeley, California, this large public school handed out 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. 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 University of California - Berkeley

#8

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 12 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of California - Irvine is located in Irvine, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UC Irvine also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UC Irvine Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#25 in overall quality

California State University - Bakersfield came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Bakersfield, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, CSUB has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at CSUB are $18,437.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Bakersfield

With a ranking of #11, California State University - Fresno did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Fresno State has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fresno

#12

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#14 in overall quality

San Diego State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. SDSU is a public institution located in San Diego, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, SDSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at SDSU are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Diego State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #13, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of California - Davis is a public institution located in Davis, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Davis Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#14

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

University of California - Riverside landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Riverside, California, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UCR

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 6 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Sac State, the school also landed the #23 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Sac State are $18,356, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Sacramento

#16

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UCSB is a public institution located in Santa Barbara, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Barbara

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Pomona, California, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly Pomona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona

With a ranking of #18, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in La Jolla, California, and it awarded 43 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Santa Cruz, California, this fairly large public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Santa Cruz Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#20

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Western Washington University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. WWU is located in Bellingham, Washington and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full WWU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #21 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNLV is a large public school situated in Las Vegas, Nevada. It awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNLV, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#9 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UNR is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 13 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Reno are $21,971, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno

#23

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#12 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UH Manoa is a fairly large public school situated in Honolulu, Hawaii. It awarded 12 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#24

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#16 in overall quality

San Francisco State University ranked #24 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. San Francisco State University is located in San Francisco, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SFSU, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at San Francisco State University are $17,944.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at San Francisco State University

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Chico came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Chico State is a fairly large public school situated in Chico, California. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Chico State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Chico

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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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