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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k

18 Ranked Colleges
206 Degrees Awarded
$30,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” 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.

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 doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 206 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 18 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.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geological and earth sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region

#1

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 25 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Stanford also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford

#2

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Caltech

#5 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a public institution located in Seattle, Washington. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW Seattle has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UW Seattle Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley

#5

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCLA also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCLA are $28,131, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCLA Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

University of California - Davis came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UC Davis is located in Davis, California and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Davis, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 - Davis are $28,700.

Full University of California - Davis Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #7. University of California - Irvine is a public institution located in Irvine, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Irvine has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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.

Full UC Irvine Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Santa Barbara, California, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Barbara are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#14 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Las Vegas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. UNLV is a large school located in Las Vegas, Nevada that handed out 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNLV has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UNLV

#10

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#15 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#10 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #11. UNR is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 8 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNR, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 Nevada - Reno are $21,971.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno

University of California - San Diego did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. La Jolla, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 35 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCSD has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSD

#13

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. UC Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UC Santa Cruz has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

#14

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#17 in overall quality

San Diego State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

SDSU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 San Diego State University are $18,658.

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

#15

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Manoa, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 UH Manoa are $34,550.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Hawaii at Manoa

#16

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#18 in overall quality

Washington State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pullman, Washington is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Wazzu did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’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 Wazzu are $27,561.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wazzu

#17

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

University of Oregon ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Oregon is a public institution located in Eugene, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UO also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oregon are $29,991, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UO

#18

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#12 in overall quality

Oregon State University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Oregon State University is a public institution located in Corvallis, Oregon. The school has a large population, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Oregon State has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State University are $28,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Oregon State 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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