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

19 Ranked Colleges
319 Degrees Awarded
$22,200 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

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.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,136 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,627 and $21,949 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 319 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,078 and $37,227 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking looked at 19 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

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

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k.

Top 19 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Arizona. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 24 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Arizona

#2

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#7 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UT Permian Basin is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin are $6,900, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin

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 #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Texas A&M College Station is a large public school situated in College Station, Texas. It awarded 57 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

Full Texas A&M College Station Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#5

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Houston. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school handed out 30 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689.

Full UH Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#6

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas
#17 in overall quality

MSU Texas landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. MSU Texas is a medium-sized school located in Wichita Falls, Texas that handed out 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Texas also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Texas are $7,935, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full MSU Texas Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Stillwater, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region master’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, OSU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at OSU

The University of Texas at San Antonio landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UTSA is a public institution located in San Antonio, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTSA also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at San Antonio are $25,807, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Arizona State University - Tempe is a large public school situated in Tempe, Arizona. It awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Arizona State University - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at ASU - Tempe

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Austin also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

#13 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Richardson, Texas, and it awarded 19 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Dallas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UT Dallas

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in El Paso, Texas, and it awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at El Paso are $16,180, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

With a ranking of #14, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 16 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Oklahoma Norman Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Northern Arizona University is a large public school situated in Flagstaff, Arizona. It awarded 14 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #12. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Arizona University are $19,489, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at NAU

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 5 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

SFASU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #0. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFASU are $15,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Stephen F Austin State University

#17

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#16 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school awarded 15 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UNM also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

#18

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Fort Worth, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

TCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Christian University are $32,268, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at TCU

#19

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. Baylor University is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Waco, Texas. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor University are $36,936.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Baylor University

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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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