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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

41 Ranked Colleges
1,228 Degrees Awarded
$7,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 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 bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 1,228 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,083 and $22,209 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 41 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that 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. 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 Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

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 #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 31 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Stanford has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stanford University is $1,145 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 Stanford

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 116 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus is $7,467 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Fullerton landed the #3 spot on the list. California State University - Fullerton is a large public school situated in Fullerton, California. It awarded 38 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Cal State Fullerton also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. The estimated yearly cost for Cal State Fullerton is $6,100 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State Fullerton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Los Angeles landed the #4 spot on the list. Cal State LA is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend California State University - Los Angeles is $2,117 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Cal State LA Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 41 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California State University - Long Beach landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Long Beach, California, this large public school handed out 12 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,595 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend CSULB.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full California State University - Long Beach Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#6

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. California Institute of Technology is a small school located in Pasadena, California that handed out 3 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Caltech is $3,756 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

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

University of California - Berkeley did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 21 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $9,130 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, 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 96%.

Full UC Berkeley Geological & Earth Sciences Report

California State University - Bakersfield landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Bakersfield, California, this fairly large public school awarded 25 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Bakersfield is $3,880 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Geological & Earth Sciences Report

University of California - Irvine ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 52 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UC Irvine is $10,373 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full University of California - Irvine Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#10

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 18 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCLA has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCLA is $9,254 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCLA

#11

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. UCSB is a large public school situated in Santa Barbara, California. It awarded 69 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Santa Barbara is $11,895 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSB

#12

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Riverside is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 16 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $9,151 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#13

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington

With a ranking of #13, Washington State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Pullman, Washington, and it awarded 102 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wazzu also took the #19 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,337 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Wazzu.

The low student loan default rate of 4.6% 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wazzu

With a ranking of #14, California State University - Dominguez Hills did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUDH is a public institution located in Carson, California. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CSUDH is $3,115 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at CSUDH

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. This large school is located in Davis, California, and it awarded 29 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for University of California - Davis is $10,769 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Davis

California State University - Sacramento ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Sacramento, California, this large public school handed out 18 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $7,823 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Sac State.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

#17

San Diego State University

San Diego, California

San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in San Diego, California, and it awarded 28 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend San Diego State University is $10,594 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, 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 89%.

Full SDSU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school awarded 41 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UNLV also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Las Vegas is $9,880 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Las Vegas

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 66 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $11,793 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of California - Santa Cruz.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low student loan default rate of 2.9% 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 University of California - Santa Cruz

California State University - Fresno landed the #20 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fresno State is a large public school situated in Fresno, California. It awarded 5 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $3,731 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend California State University - Fresno.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Fresno State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

University of California - Merced ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Merced is a medium-sized school located in Merced, California that handed out 19 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Merced also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for UC Merced is $11,565 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of California - Merced Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#22

California State University - San Bernardino

San Bernardino, California

California State University - San Bernardino did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. San Bernardino, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 15 students in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend CSUSB is $5,869 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full California State University - San Bernardino Geological & Earth Sciences Report

California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Luis Obispo, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 37 students in 2019-2020.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo is $14,680 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo

California State University - Stanislaus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. Stan State is a fairly large school located in Turlock, California that handed out 9 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend Stan State is $3,958 for far western us region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full California State University - Stanislaus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#25

Eastern Washington University

Cheney, Washington

Eastern Washington University came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Cheney, Washington, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

It costs about $8,821 for Far Western US Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Eastern Washington University.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Eastern Washington 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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