2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

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 Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking - to help you make that 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 Illinois, there were 155 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $32,700 and $21,833 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 15 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,900 and $148,219 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, we looked at 4 colleges that offer 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 for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

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. 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 for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k

The colleges and universities below are the best for illinois doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Top 4 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in Illinois

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois

#2 in overall quality

$56,567 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Out of the 4 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Northwestern, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

#1 in overall quality

$61,548 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#3

University of Illinois at Chicago

Chicago, Illinois

#4 in overall quality

$27,036 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Chicago. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UIC

#4

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, Illinois

#3 in overall quality

$30,083 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees

Out of the 4 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in Illinois For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign landed the #4 spot on the list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIUC also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in Illinois” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

• Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
• Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k)

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.

Featured Physical Sciences Schools

Request Info

Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs ... Learn More >