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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

13 Ranked Colleges
143 Degrees Awarded
$24,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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 Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 143 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,970 and $95,025 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 13 colleges that offered a degree 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geological and earth sciences program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. 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 Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 13 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Arizona. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Arizona, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Austin not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 The University of Texas at Austin are $22,886.

Full UT Austin Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Houston is located in Houston, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH are $18,689, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UH

#4

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #4 spot on the list. Lubbock, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas Tech has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the list. Texas A&M College Station is a large school located in College Station, Texas that handed out 17 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M College Station

#9 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Oklahoma State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 OSU are $23,963.

Full Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#7 in overall quality

Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. Located in Tempe, Arizona, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

ASU - Tempe also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 ASU - Tempe are $27,048.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Arizona State University - Tempe

#11 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. NMSU Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NMSU Main Campus

#11 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UTEP did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at El Paso Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#10 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Dallas also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Dallas are $28,610, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Dallas Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Oklahoma is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 10 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, University of Oklahoma has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 University of Oklahoma are $23,236.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Oklahoma

#12

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#13 in overall quality

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNM is a large public school situated in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It awarded 1 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. 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.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Baylor has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor University are $36,936, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on 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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