Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Geological & Earth Sciences

Find Schools Near

2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

14 Ranked Colleges
133 Degrees Awarded
$24,400 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. 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 Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” 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 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 master’s degree level specifically, there were 133 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,560 and $37,817 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking analyzed 14 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

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 Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid”.

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 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 Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid

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

Top 14 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region (With Aid)

#1

University of Wyoming

Laramie, Wyoming
#2 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wyoming. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid. UW is a public institution located in Laramie, Wyoming. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Wyoming are $16,615, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UW Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#2

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Utah. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid. U of U is a large school located in Salt Lake City, Utah that handed out 10 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U of U also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at U of U are $24,695, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Brigham Young University - Provo landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Provo, Utah, and it awarded 10 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

BYU also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at BYU are $7,510.

Full BYU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#4

University of Idaho

Moscow, Idaho

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Idaho landed the #4 spot on the list. U of I is a public institution located in Moscow, Idaho. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

U of I not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #0 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at U of I are $29,112, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U of I Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 14 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #5 spot on the list. Colorado State University - Fort Collins is a large school located in Fort Collins, Colorado that handed out 11 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Colorado State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Colorado State University - Fort Collins are $28,055, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Colorado State University - Fort Collins

#6

The University of Montana

Missoula, Montana
#8 in overall quality

The University of Montana landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UM is a medium-sized public school situated in Missoula, Montana. It awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UM also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Montana are $23,242, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full The University of Montana Geological & Earth Sciences Report

Utah State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #7. Utah State University is a public institution located in Logan, Utah. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

USU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at USU are $22,598, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#11 in overall quality

University of Northern Colorado came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Greeley, Colorado, this fairly large public school awarded 6 diplomas to qualified masters’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 Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Northern Colorado are $21,708, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Northern Colorado

#9

Montana State University

Bozeman, Montana
#6 in overall quality

Montana State University landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bozeman, Montana, and it awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Bozeman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at MSU Bozeman are $21,446, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at MSU Bozeman

#10

Boise State University

Boise, Idaho
#10 in overall quality

Boise State University landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Boise, Idaho, this large public school awarded 4 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Boise State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Boise State are $26,566, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Boise State

With a ranking of #11, Montana Technological University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. This small school is located in Butte, Montana, and it awarded 10 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Montana Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Montana Technological University are $19,429, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12

University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, Colorado
#4 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

CU - Boulder also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Colorado Boulder are $32,980, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at CU - Boulder

#13

Idaho State University

Pocatello, Idaho

With a ranking of #13, Idaho State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Pocatello, Idaho is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

ISU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Idaho State University are $26,548.

Full Idaho State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#14

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, Colorado

With a ranking of #14, Colorado School of Mines did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Getting Aid list. Mines is a medium-sized school located in Golden, Colorado that handed out 40 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Mines also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #1. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Mines are $39,800.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Mines

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

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

Find Schools Near You