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

18 Ranked Colleges
206 Degrees Awarded
$30,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate 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 has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 206 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 18 colleges that offer a degree in geological and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geological and earth sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geological and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k”.

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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. California Institute of Technology is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is located in Seattle, Washington and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Seattle Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 14 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Berkeley has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 University of California - Berkeley are $29,347.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - Los Angeles. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UCLA

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UC Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 16 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UC Davis Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#8 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCSB, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSB

#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR also took the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCR are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCR

#10

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#17 in overall quality

San Diego State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full San Diego State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#14 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNLV is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNLV also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #14. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UNLV

#10 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Nevada - Reno is a public institution located in Reno, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #10. 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno

With a ranking of #13, University of California - San Diego did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCSD is a large school located in La Jolla, California that handed out 35 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 UCSD are $28,631.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSD

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Santa Cruz is a fairly large public school situated in Santa Cruz, California. It awarded 12 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Santa Cruz also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 UC Santa Cruz are $28,952.

Full UC Santa Cruz Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#18 in overall quality

Washington State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Pullman, Washington, this large public school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Wazzu not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 Washington State University are $27,561.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Wazzu

#16

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#17

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

University of Oregon ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UO is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UO has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UO Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#18

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#12 in overall quality

Oregon State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Oregon State is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Oregon State, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State University are $28,121, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Oregon State 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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