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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

26 Ranked Colleges
184 Degrees Awarded
$29,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. 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 Master’s in the Great Lakes 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 Great Lakes region, there were 1,042 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,733 and $23,415 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 184 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 26 colleges that offered 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.

Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geological and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

One Size Does Not Fit All

The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k

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

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, Northwestern has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern University are $56,567, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern University

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UChicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Chicago Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and it awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, U-M has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

#4

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Purdue University - Main Campus. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Purdue University - Main Campus is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Purdue also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Purdue University - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Madison are $25,523.

Full UW - Madison Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a public institution located in Columbus, Ohio. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141.

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

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #7, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

SIUC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at SIUC are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at SIUC

#19 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #8. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, IUPUI has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIUC, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIUC are $30,083, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#11

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Northern Illinois University is a fairly large public school situated in Dekalb, Illinois. It awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NIU, the school also landed the #20 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at NIU

#12

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

Ball State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 2 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Ball State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #13 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UIC is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UIC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UIC Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#14

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

Indiana State University landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, Indiana State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Indiana State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

Wayne State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Detroit, Michigan, this large public school handed out 4 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State are $37,215, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wayne State

#16

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Illinois State also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Illinois State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Michigan State

Wright State University - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 5 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Wright State University - Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus

#17 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #19. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#20

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #20. UWM is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee are $25,295.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#21

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #21. WMU is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

WMU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at WMU are $31,355.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Michigan University

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UC is a large public school situated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, UC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Full UC Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #23, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $75-$110k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Miami University - Oxford

University of Akron Main Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus

#18 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. OHIO Athens is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

OHIO Athens did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio University - Athens Campus are $17,712, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Ohio University - Athens Campus

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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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