Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Geological & Earth Sciences

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

161 Ranked Colleges
1,720 Degrees Awarded
$40,500 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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.

At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 1,720 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $56,398 and $43,194 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 161 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

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 Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k)

#1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Cambridge, Massachusetts
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 161 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, this fairly large private not-for-profit school handed out 4 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at MIT, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Massachusetts Institute of Technology are $56,719, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at MIT

#2

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern

#3

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 36 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford University

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Columbia University in the City of New York. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Columbia University in the City of New York is located in New York, New York and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Columbia has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Columbia are $51,194, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Columbia University in the City of New York

#5

University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Pennsylvania. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Pennsylvania is a private not-for-profit institution located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UPenn has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UPenn are $41,760, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UPenn

#6

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#7 in overall quality

University of Chicago ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UChicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UChicago also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UChicago

#7

Princeton University

Princeton, New Jersey
#9 in overall quality

Princeton University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #7. This medium-sized school is located in Princeton, New Jersey, and it awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Princeton has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Princeton University are $56,470, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Princeton

#8 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Madison did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Wisconsin - Madison is located in Madison, Wisconsin and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UW - Madison also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9

Dartmouth College

Hanover, New Hampshire
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, Dartmouth College did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Dartmouth is a medium-sized school located in Hanover, New Hampshire that handed out 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Dartmouth has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Dartmouth are $58,120.

Full Dartmouth College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#10

Cornell University

Ithaca, New York
#14 in overall quality

Cornell University ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution located in Ithaca, New York. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cornell, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Cornell are $30,042.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Cornell University

#11

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#16 in overall quality

Brown University landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Providence, Rhode Island is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

Brown also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #16. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Brown are $60,363.

Full Brown University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12

Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, Maryland
#20 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, Johns Hopkins University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Baltimore, Maryland, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 2 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Johns Hopkins also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Johns Hopkins University are $59,425, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Johns Hopkins University

#13

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
Top 25% in overall quality

University of Florida ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. UF is a large public school situated in Gainesville, Florida. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UF are $30,130.

Full UF Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#14

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, Michigan
#24 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #24. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Chapel Hill also took the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Chapel Hill are $30,248, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#16

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
Top 25% in overall quality

Vanderbilt University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Nashville, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 7 students in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Vanderbilt University are $50,624.

Full Vanderbilt Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

With a ranking of #17, California Institute of Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Caltech is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Pasadena, California. It awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. 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

#18

The City College of New York

New York, New York

The City College of New York landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in New York, New York, and it awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at CCNY are $20,832, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at CCNY

#19

Boston College

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

Boston College landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Boston College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 4 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Boston College are $31,930, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Boston College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#20

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
Top 20% in overall quality

University of Wyoming ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Laramie, Wyoming is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 10 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education it offers, UW is also in the top of our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” ranking. It’s ranked in the top 20% of all schools on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615.

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

#21

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana

Purdue University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

California State University - Los Angeles did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Cal State LA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Los Angeles are $17,723.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal State LA

Top 25% in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Missouri University of Science and Technology did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a public institution located in Rolla, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Missouri University of Science and Technology are $30,943.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology

California State University - Long Beach did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. California State University - Long Beach is located in Long Beach, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

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.

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

With a ranking of #25, California State University - Fullerton did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s For Those Making $30-$48k list. California State University - Fullerton is a large school located in Fullerton, California that handed out 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at California State University - Fullerton are $17,892, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Cal State Fullerton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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.

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Find Schools Near You