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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

12 Ranked Colleges
526 Degrees Awarded
$19,700 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. 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 Rocky Mountains region, there were 526 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,791 and $24,175 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking looked at 12 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geological and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geological and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k

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

Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $75-$110k) in the Rocky Mountains Region

1
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #1 spot on the list. UW is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 45 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UW also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $15,178 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UW.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wyoming

2

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #2 spot on the list. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

BYU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,777 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend BYU.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, 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.

Full Brigham Young University - Provo Geological & Earth Sciences Report

3
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. U of U is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 39 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend U of U is $15,746 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Utah

4
U of I crest
University of Idaho
Moscow, Idaho

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Idaho. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. U of I is a fairly large school located in Moscow, Idaho that handed out 18 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

U of I also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. The yearly cost to attend U of I is $17,652 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at U of I

5

Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Colorado landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large school located in Greeley, Colorado that handed out 23 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

University of Northern Colorado also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $16,144 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

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 University of Northern Colorado Geological & Earth Sciences Report

6

University of Colorado Boulder landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. University of Colorado Boulder is a public institution located in Boulder, Colorado. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

CU - Boulder also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #3. The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado Boulder is $25,326 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 University of Colorado Boulder Geological & Earth Sciences Report

7

With a ranking of #7, Boise State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Boise State is located in Boise, Idaho and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Boise State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $18,867 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Boise State.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Boise State University

8
MSU Bozeman crest
Montana State University
Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Montana State University is located in Bozeman, Montana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 47 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

MSU Bozeman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University is $21,940 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Montana State University

9

Colorado State University - Fort Collins ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a large public school situated in Fort Collins, Colorado. It awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Colorado State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Colorado State is $21,657 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Colorado State

10
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Colorado School of Mines is a public institution located in Golden, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 58 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Mines also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Mines is $31,412 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. 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%.

Full Colorado School of Mines Geological & Earth Sciences Report

11
FLC crest
Fort Lewis College
Durango, Colorado

Fort Lewis College came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. This small school is located in Durango, Colorado, and it awarded 10 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

FLC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FLC is $18,562 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Fort Lewis College

12

Metropolitan State University of Denver ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. MSU Denver is located in Denver, Colorado and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

MSU Denver not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend MSU Denver is $18,158 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $75-$110k.

Full Metropolitan State University of Denver Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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