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2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

36 Ranked Colleges
1,540 Degrees Awarded
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 7,821 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 $48-$75k” ranking looked at 36 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.

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. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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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 Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list to help you make the college 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. 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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Florida landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Gainesville, Florida, this large public school awarded 32 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UF, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UF is $8,394 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UF

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Chapel Hill, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 29 students in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for UNC Chapel Hill is $11,619 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

3

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 50 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of South Florida - Main Campus is $9,669 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of South Florida - Main Campus

4
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Florida State is a large school located in Tallahassee, Florida that handed out 33 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Florida State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $11,506 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Florida State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.

Full Florida State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

5
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #5 spot on the list. 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 also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $10,995 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at William & Mary

6
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #6. Morgantown, West Virginia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend WVU is $13,077 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at WVU

7
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Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida

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 $48-$75k ranking. Boca Raton, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.

FAU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #17. It costs about $12,323 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k 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%.

Full Florida Atlantic University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

8
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NC State is located in Raleigh, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

NC State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend North Carolina State University is $14,424 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NC State

9

With a ranking of #9, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Miami, Florida, this large public school awarded 26 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #25 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Florida International University is $7,292 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full Florida International University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

10
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Athens, Georgia, and it awarded 17 ’s geology 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 UGA is $15,037 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UGA

11

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 72 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $19,623 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full Louisiana State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

12
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

With a ranking of #12, Mississippi State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Mississippi State is a large public school situated in Mississippi State, Mississippi. It awarded 181 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #4. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State University is $18,449 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Mississippi State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

13

University of Louisiana at Lafayette landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UL Lafayette is a fairly large school located in Lafayette, Louisiana that handed out 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UL Lafayette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $14,322 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Full University of Louisiana at Lafayette Geological & Earth Sciences Report

14
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

Appalachian State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Appalachian State is a public institution located in Boone, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Appalachian State, the school also landed the #22 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,769 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Appalachian State.

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

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Appalachian State

15
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.

Georgia State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia State is $18,466 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full Georgia State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

16

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 75 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Charlotte is $16,938 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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%. 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 UNC Charlotte

17
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

East Carolina University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. East Carolina University is a large school located in Greenville, North Carolina that handed out 24 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for ECU is $16,654 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full East Carolina University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

18
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Virginia Tech is a large public school situated in Blacksburg, Virginia. It awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Virginia Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Virginia Tech is $18,372 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Virginia Tech Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, this fairly large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WCU is $14,701 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Carolina University

20
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $16,708 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k 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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

21
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

With a ranking of #21, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

ETSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend ETSU is $15,113 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Full East Tennessee State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

22
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

With a ranking of #22, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Middle Tennessee State University is a large public school situated in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. It awarded 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $14,498 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Middle Tennessee State University.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University

23

With a ranking of #23, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UNCW is a public institution located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k 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 $19,195 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

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

24
UNO crest
University of New Orleans
New Orleans, Louisiana

With a ranking of #24, University of New Orleans did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it awarded 21 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The estimated yearly cost for University of New Orleans is $13,180 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UNO

25
WKU crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky

With a ranking of #25, Western Kentucky University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. WKU is a fairly large school located in Bowling Green, Kentucky that handed out 25 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The yearly cost to attend WKU is $17,490 for southeast region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at WKU

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