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2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

24 Ranked Colleges
1,136 Degrees Awarded
$12,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region 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. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Southwest region, there were 1,136 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,627 and $21,949 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking analyzed 24 colleges that offered a degree in geological and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geological and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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

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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

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

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Arizona. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Arizona is a public institution located in Tucson, Arizona. The school has a large population, and it awarded 100 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $11,466 for southwest 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Arizona

#2

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Lubbock, Texas, and it awarded 48 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas Tech University is $13,326 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Texas Tech University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UT Permian Basin is a public institution located in Odessa, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Permian Basin has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,221 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Permian Basin.

Full The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Geological & Earth Sciences Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Texas A&M University - College Station. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 149 students in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #2. It costs about $13,270 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas A&M University - College Station.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M College Station

#5

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #5 spot on the list. UH is a large school located in Houston, Texas that handed out 98 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,925 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UH.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full UH Geological & Earth Sciences Report

With a ranking of #6, The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school handed out 39 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at San Antonio is $11,109 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large school located in Stillwater, Oklahoma that handed out 36 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

OSU also took the #14 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $9,962 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Oklahoma State University - Main Campus.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

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

The University of Texas at Austin came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 78 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Austin is $13,575 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UT Austin Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MSU Texas is located in Wichita Falls, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 23 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

MSU Texas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $8,554 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend MSU Texas.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at MSU Texas

Arizona State University - Tempe ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. ASU - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

ASU - Tempe not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $8,921 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full Arizona State University - Tempe Geological & Earth Sciences Report

New Mexico State University - Main Campus came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Las Cruces, New Mexico is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 23 students in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend New Mexico State University - Main Campus is $7,006 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full NMSU Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 39 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Dallas not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Dallas is $11,745 for Southwest 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 90%. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at El Paso came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is a public institution located in El Paso, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 36 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UTEP is $7,427 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. The University of Texas at Arlington is a large school located in Arlington, Texas that handed out 39 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Arlington also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Arlington is $12,974 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UT Arlington

With a ranking of #15, University of Houston - Downtown did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Houston, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 19 students in 2019-2020.

UH Downtown also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #17. The estimated yearly cost for University of Houston - Downtown is $6,131 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UH Downtown Geological & Earth Sciences Report

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Norman, Oklahoma is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 40 students in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $17,285 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low student loan default rate of 4.7% 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #17, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Northern Arizona University is a large school located in Flagstaff, Arizona that handed out 41 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

NAU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,799 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northern Arizona University.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Northern Arizona University

#18

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #18. Huntsville, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

SHSU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for SHSU is $11,634 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Sam Houston State University

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Stephen F Austin State University is located in Nacogdoches, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 21 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

SFASU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Stephen F Austin State University is $10,816 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at SFASU

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

Tarleton State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tarleton State University is a fairly large school located in Stephenville, Texas that handed out 10 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Tarleton, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton State University is $17,132 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Tarleton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#21

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNM is $14,458 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of New Mexico - Main Campus

#22

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, Texas A&M Corpus Christi has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi is $16,393 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. TCU is a fairly large school located in Fort Worth, Texas that handed out 21 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

TCU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $23,246 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Christian University.

The low student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full TCU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#24

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

Baylor University landed the #24 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Waco, Texas, this fairly large private not-for-profit school awarded 21 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Baylor also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for Baylor is $29,849 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Baylor University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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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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