2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
30
Ranked Colleges
818
Degrees Awarded
$16,900
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 7,821 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 818 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,990 and $23,096 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 30 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.
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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
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 in the Great Lakes 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. 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 Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region geology students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 50 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students with aid list, UW - Madison has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,234 for great lakes region geology students with aid per year to attend UW - Madison.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UW - Madison
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. U-M is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 62 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
U-M did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,878 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid per year to attend U-M.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is a large school located in Champaign, Illinois that handed out 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $14,321 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Geological & Earth Sciences Report
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 in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid. Purdue is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Purdue is $13,377 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Purdue
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,619 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid per year to attend IU Bloomington.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington
University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #6 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this large public school awarded 23 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $13,214 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 UIC
Michigan State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Michigan State University is located in East Lansing, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 34 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Michigan State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $19,058 for great lakes region geology students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. 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 Michigan State
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 11 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $12,416 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
Ball State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
Ball State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $14,765 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid per year to attend Ball State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Ball State
With a ranking of #10, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Kalamazoo, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 38 students in 2020-2021.
WMU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,371 for great lakes region geology students with aid.
Full Western Michigan University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in River Falls, Wisconsin, this medium-sized public school handed out 8 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students with aid list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $13,844 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
The undergrad 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
Northwestern University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Northwestern is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 21 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $23,279 for great lakes region geology students with aid per year to attend Northwestern.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern
Ohio State University - Main Campus ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ohio State, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Ohio State is $16,845 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students with aid list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Eau Claire is $16,051 for great lakes region geology students with aid.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UW - Eau Claire
Wright State University - Main Campus landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 37 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Wright State University - Main Campus also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #22. It costs about $15,962 for great lakes region geology students with aid per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus
Indiana State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Indiana State is a medium-sized school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 10 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $14,270 for great lakes region geology students with aid per year to attend Indiana State.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana State
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students with aid list, UWM has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,486 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
Full UWM Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it awarded 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $22,415 for great lakes region geology students with aid per year to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Grand Valley State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Grand Valley State University is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at GVSU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for GVSU is $17,356 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.
Full GVSU Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 9 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at BGSU, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Bowling Green State University - Main Campus is $18,558 for great lakes region geology students with aid.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Wayne State University ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Detroit, Michigan is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,962 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid per year to attend Wayne State University.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wayne State
University of Akron Main Campus ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Akron Main Campus is a fairly large public school situated in Akron, Ohio. It awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Akron Main Campus also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,945 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid per year to attend University of Akron Main Campus.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Akron Main Campus
Miami University - Oxford came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 35 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Miami University - Oxford not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $24,756 for great lakes region geology students with aid per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Miami University - Oxford Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Illinois State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Illinois State University is a large school located in Normal, Illinois that handed out 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $20,830 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Illinois State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Eastern Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #25. Eastern Michigan University is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $15,127 for Great Lakes Region Geology students with aid.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Eastern Michigan University
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