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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

19 Ranked Colleges
410 Degrees Awarded
$18,100 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

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 Rocky Mountains region, there were 630 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,529 and $23,431 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 410 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,111 and $23,874 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 19 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 19 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Idaho. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Rexburg, Idaho, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 12 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, BYU - I has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU - I is $9,850 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full BYU - I Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#2

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wyoming. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 43 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW is $14,958 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low student loan default rate of 4.5% 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 University of Wyoming

#3

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Utah landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this large public school handed out 35 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $17,718 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 89%.

Full University of Utah Geological & Earth Sciences Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Located in Provo, Utah, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 14 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BYU, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend BYU is $15,362 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The 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 92%.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Geological & Earth Sciences Report

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Weber State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Ogden, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 20 students in 2019-2020.

WSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,088 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Weber State University.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Weber State University

University of Northern Colorado did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #6. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large public school situated in Greeley, Colorado. It awarded 18 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, University of Northern Colorado has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Northern Colorado is $18,599 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full University of Northern Colorado Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#7

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana

The University of Montana came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UM is located in Missoula, Montana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, UM has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Montana is $18,209 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full The University of Montana Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of Idaho

Moscow, Idaho

University of Idaho did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Located in Moscow, Idaho, this fairly large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of I, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Idaho is $17,509 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full U of I Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

Utah Valley University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #9. UVU is a public institution located in Orem, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UVU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $12,141 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UVU.

Full UVU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. Fort Collins, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 29 students in 2019-2020.

Colorado State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado State is $24,440 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Colorado State University - Fort Collins

#11

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
#15 in overall quality

Utah State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Logan, Utah, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

USU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $16,895 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend USU.

Full Utah State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12

Fort Lewis College

Durango, Colorado

Fort Lewis College landed the #12 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. FLC is a small public school situated in Durango, Colorado. It awarded 13 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

FLC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Fort Lewis College is $19,449 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at FLC

#13

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Western is located in Gunnison, Colorado and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Western did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western is $19,264 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Colorado University

#16 in overall quality

Metropolitan State University of Denver landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Metropolitan State University of Denver is a fairly large public school situated in Denver, Colorado. It awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Denver did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $18,397 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Full Metropolitan State University of Denver Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. MSU Bozeman is a fairly large school located in Bozeman, Montana that handed out 35 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Bozeman also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend MSU Bozeman is $21,587 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Montana State University

#16

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho

Boise State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Boise, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 24 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, Boise State has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State University is $19,550 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Boise State University

#17

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado

University of Colorado Boulder came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Boulder, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 51 students in 2019-2020.

CU - Boulder also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $25,863 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend CU - Boulder.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, 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 85%.

Full University of Colorado Boulder Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#18

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
#17 in overall quality

Colorado Mesa University ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Grand Junction, Colorado is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

Colorado Mesa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Colorado Mesa is $18,596 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Colorado Mesa University

#19

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Pocatello, Idaho, this fairly large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

ISU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $19,875 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend ISU.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at ISU

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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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