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

30 Ranked Colleges
328 Degrees Awarded
$26,300 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 328 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $59,319 and $48,880 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 30 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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 Master’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.

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. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

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

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

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Stanford University. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Stanford University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California Institute of Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Caltech also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k. California State University - Los Angeles is a public institution located in Los Angeles, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal State LA are $17,723, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal State LA

#13 in overall quality

Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’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 #4 spot on the list. Long Beach, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

CSULB also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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 CSULB are $17,784.

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

#15 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Fullerton. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal State Fullerton, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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

University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Seattle, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 18 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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 Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UW Seattle

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, University of California - Los Angeles did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s 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 12 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UCLA also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #3. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131.

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

#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, California State University - Bakersfield did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. CSUB is a fairly large school located in Bakersfield, California that handed out 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

CSUB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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 California State University - Bakersfield are $18,437.

Full California State University - Bakersfield Geological & Earth Sciences Report

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UC Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #0 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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

California State University - Fresno ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Fresno State is located in Fresno, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 16 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Fresno State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Fresno State are $17,581, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Fresno State

#11 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. University of California - Irvine is a large public school situated in Irvine, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. 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 University of California - Irvine

#23 in overall quality

California State University - Sacramento landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Sac State is a large public school situated in Sacramento, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Sac State also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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 Sac State are $18,356.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Sac State

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of California - Davis is a large public school situated in Davis, California. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Davis also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Davis

#14

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#14 in overall quality

San Diego State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Diego, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

SDSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Diego State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California

With a ranking of #15, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UCR has also earned the #0 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Riverside Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#16

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#7 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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 University of California - Santa Barbara

#9 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Reno, Nevada 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.

UNR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UNR

#18 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is a public institution located in Las Vegas, Nevada. The school has a large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNLV, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNLV are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Nevada - Las Vegas Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#19

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California
#10 in overall quality

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. University of California - Santa Cruz is a fairly large school located in Santa Cruz, California that handed out 10 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region master’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Santa Cruz are $28,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

University of California - San Diego ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in La Jolla, California, this large public school handed out 43 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCSD not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - San Diego are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSD

#21

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#19 in overall quality

Western Washington University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #21. Bellingham, Washington is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at WWU are $24,105, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full WWU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17 in overall quality

California State Polytechnic University - Pomona landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Cal Poly Pomona, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Cal Poly Pomona are $18,377, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cal Poly Pomona

#23

San Francisco State University

San Francisco, California
#16 in overall quality

San Francisco State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. San Francisco, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

SFSU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. Average graduate tuition and fees at SFSU are $17,944, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at San Francisco State University

#24

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#12 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a fairly large school located in Honolulu, Hawaii that handed out 12 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UH Manoa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UH Manoa are $34,550, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#22 in overall quality

California State University - Chico came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Chico, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

Chico State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #22 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’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 California State University - Chico are $18,802.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Chico State

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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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