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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

19 Ranked Colleges
410 Degrees Awarded
$14,900 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 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 Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree 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.

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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

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 Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest 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 for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid.

Top 19 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

#1

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wyoming landed the #1 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Laramie, Wyoming, and it awarded 43 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW is $12,159 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UW

Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Idaho landed the #2 spot on the list. BYU - I is a private not-for-profit institution located in Rexburg, Idaho. The school has a large population, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at BYU - I, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $7,167 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid per year to attend BYU - I.

The low student loan default rate of 3.2% 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 BYU - I Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Utah landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Utah is a public institution located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U of U also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $14,773 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend University of Utah.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. 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%.

Full U of U Geological & Earth Sciences Report

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Brigham Young University - Provo. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Provo, Utah is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

BYU also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brigham Young University - Provo is $13,322 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The low 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 Brigham Young University - Provo

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 Getting Aid. Weber State University is located in Ogden, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 20 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid list, WSU has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Weber State University is $11,968 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

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

With a ranking of #6, Colorado State University - Fort Collins did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a large public school situated in Fort Collins, Colorado. It awarded 29 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Colorado State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $18,668 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid per year to attend Colorado State.

The low student loan default rate of 3.0% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

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

#7

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 Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. This fairly large school is located in Moscow, Idaho, and it awarded 11 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U of I also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for U of I is $14,132 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at U of I

#19 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Utah Valley University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Utah Valley University is a large school located in Orem, Utah that handed out 9 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UVU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UVU is $9,159 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Full UVU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana

With a ranking of #9, The University of Montana did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. The University of Montana is a medium-sized school located in Missoula, Montana that handed out 11 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UM did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UM is $15,246 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Full The University of Montana Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#10

Utah State University

Logan, Utah
#15 in overall quality

Utah State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Utah State University is a large public school situated in Logan, Utah. It awarded 14 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at USU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for USU is $13,634 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Utah State University

#16 in overall quality

Metropolitan State University of Denver did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. This fairly large school is located in Denver, Colorado, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Denver not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $14,257 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid per year to attend MSU Denver.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Metropolitan State University of Denver

#12

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana

Montana State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #12. Montana State University is a fairly large public school situated in Bozeman, Montana. It awarded 35 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid list, MSU Bozeman has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Montana State University is $19,202 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

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

#13

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado

University of Colorado Boulder ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school awarded 51 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at CU - Boulder, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend CU - Boulder is $21,680 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

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

#14

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho

Boise State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public school awarded 24 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Boise State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State is $15,787 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

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

#15

Fort Lewis College

Durango, Colorado

Fort Lewis College ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Fort Lewis College is a public institution located in Durango, Colorado. The school has a small population, and it awarded 13 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

FLC also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FLC is $16,274 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Fort Lewis College

#16

University of Northern Colorado

Greeley, Colorado

University of Northern Colorado 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 Getting Aid ranking. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 18 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

University of Northern Colorado not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $15,714 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid per year to attend University of Northern Colorado.

Full University of Northern Colorado Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17

Western Colorado University

Gunnison, Colorado

Western Colorado University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Gunnison, Colorado, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Western also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #13. The estimated yearly cost for Western Colorado University is $17,282 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Colorado University

#18

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho

Idaho State University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. ISU is a public institution located in Pocatello, Idaho. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid list, ISU has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $16,810 for rocky mountains region bachelor’s degree geology students with aid per year to attend ISU.

Full ISU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#19

Colorado Mesa University

Grand Junction, Colorado
#17 in overall quality

Colorado Mesa University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Grand Junction, Colorado, this medium-sized public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Colorado Mesa also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado Mesa University is $15,569 for Rocky Mountains Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students with aid.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Colorado Mesa

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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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