2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k
36
Ranked Colleges
1,540
Degrees Awarded
$10,800
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 1,540 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,423 and $24,357 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 36 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school handed out 32 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UF is $2,857 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Florida Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 29 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UNC Chapel Hill not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $5,729 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.4% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend William & Mary. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k. William & Mary is a public institution located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $7,507 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at William & Mary
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 50 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $5,632 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of South Florida - Main Campus
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Florida State University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Florida State University is a large public school situated in Tallahassee, Florida. It awarded 33 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Florida State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Florida State University is $7,349 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida State
North Carolina State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. North Carolina State University is a large public school situated in Raleigh, North Carolina. It awarded 32 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $9,448 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NC State
Florida Atlantic University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $8,262 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Florida Atlantic University.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at FAU
University of Georgia landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Georgia is a public institution located in Athens, Georgia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UGA also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Georgia is $10,688 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UGA Geological & Earth Sciences Report
West Virginia University ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Morgantown, West Virginia, this large public school handed out 49 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $10,250 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend West Virginia University.
Full West Virginia University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #10. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida International University is $4,882 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida International University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Louisiana State University is a public institution located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 72 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Louisiana State University also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $15,403 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Louisiana State University.
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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Mississippi State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Mississippi State is a public institution located in Mississippi State, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 181 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Mississippi State has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mississippi State University is $13,553 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Mississippi State University
Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Appalachian State is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Appalachian State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $9,940 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Appalachian State University
University of Louisiana at Lafayette landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Louisiana at Lafayette is a public institution located in Lafayette, Louisiana. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UL Lafayette, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $11,697 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UL Lafayette
With a ranking of #15, University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UNC Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 75 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNC Charlotte, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Charlotte is $13,226 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UNC Charlotte
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school awarded 49 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UT Knoxville also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. The yearly cost to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville is $13,970 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UT Knoxville
Virginia Tech did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #17. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $14,003 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Virginia Tech.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Virginia Tech
East Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. East Carolina University is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
ECU also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,029 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend East Carolina University.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at ECU
Georgia State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Georgia State University is located in Atlanta, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Georgia State also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia State is $15,767 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Georgia State Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Wilmington, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 48 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UNCW has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNCW is $14,643 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UNCW
With a ranking of #21, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and it awarded 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $10,661 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University
Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for WCU is $11,625 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Carolina University
East Tennessee State University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ETSU is a fairly large school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
ETSU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #23. The yearly cost to attend East Tennessee State University is $10,965 for southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at East Tennessee State University
University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #24. University of Kentucky is a public institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UK has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,424 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Kentucky.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Kentucky
University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UofSC also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $16,404 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UofSC.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UofSC
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