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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region

18 Ranked Colleges
206 Degrees Awarded
$30,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region” ranking.

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 Far Western US region, there were 1,851 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,136 and $22,606 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 206 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $72,342 and $136,270 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region” ranking looked at 18 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.

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.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our 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 Doctorate in the Far Western US Region

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region.

Top 18 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region

#10 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Nevada - Reno. It ranked #1 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. University of Nevada - Reno is a large school located in Reno, Nevada that handed out 8 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNR are $21,971, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nevada - Reno

#14 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Nevada - Las Vegas is located in Las Vegas, Nevada and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNLV not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Nevada - Las Vegas are $21,962, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNLV Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 18 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Seattle, Washington, and it awarded 16 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Washington - Seattle Campus are $30,294.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Washington - Seattle Campus

#4

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Los Angeles. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region. University of California - Los Angeles is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students list, UCLA has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Los Angeles are $28,131, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Los Angeles

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - San Diego. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region. University of California - San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 35 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UCSD also took the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSD are $28,631, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - San Diego

#6

Oregon State University

Corvallis, Oregon
#12 in overall quality

Oregon State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Corvallis, Oregon, and it awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Oregon State also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Oregon State are $28,121, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Oregon State

#7

San Diego State University

San Diego, California
#17 in overall quality

San Diego State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 3 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students list, SDSU has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at San Diego State University are $18,658, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full San Diego State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of California - Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara, California
#8 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, University of California - Santa Barbara did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Santa Barbara, California, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UCSB also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. Average graduate tuition and fees at UCSB are $28,670, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UCSB Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #9, University of California - Davis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. Located in Davis, California, this large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UC Davis not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Davis are $28,700, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of California - Davis Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9 in overall quality

University of California - Irvine came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of California - Irvine is a large school located in Irvine, California that handed out 16 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Irvine also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Irvine are $28,456, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine

#11

University of California - Berkeley

Berkeley, California
#3 in overall quality

University of California - Berkeley landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. This large school is located in Berkeley, California, and it awarded 14 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC Berkeley are $29,347, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Berkeley

#12

Washington State University

Pullman, Washington
#18 in overall quality

Washington State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. Washington State University is a large public school situated in Pullman, Washington. It awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wazzu also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Washington State University are $27,561, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Washington State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13

University of Oregon

Eugene, Oregon
#16 in overall quality

University of Oregon came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking. University of Oregon is located in Eugene, Oregon and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UO not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at UO are $29,991, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Oregon

#14

University of California - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, California

With a ranking of #14, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Santa Cruz are $28,952, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Santa Cruz

#15

University of California - Riverside

Riverside, California
#15 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, University of California - Riverside did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region list. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UCR did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of California - Riverside are $28,686, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of California - Riverside

#16

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Honolulu, Hawaii
#13 in overall quality

University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #16. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students list, UH Manoa has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Hawaii at Manoa are $34,550, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full University of Hawaii at Manoa Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#17

Stanford University

Stanford, California
#1 in overall quality

Stanford University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #17. This fairly large school is located in Stanford, California, and it awarded 25 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our far western us region doctor’s degree geology students list, Stanford has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Stanford University are $55,011, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford University

#18

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

California Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Far Western US Region ranking, coming in at #18. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 4 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Caltech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at California Institute of Technology are $56,649.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Caltech

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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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