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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region

28 Ranked Colleges
401 Degrees Awarded
$24,700 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Southeast Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region” ranking as one item you can use to help make this 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 Southeast region, there were 1,684 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $31,940 and $23,131 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 401 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $53,950 and $43,286 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region” ranking, we looked at 28 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.

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.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

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 Master’s in the Southeast Region” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region master’s degree geology students.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Southern Mississippi

Hattiesburg, Mississippi
#11 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Southern Mississippi landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, this fairly large public school awarded 17 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Southern Miss, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Miss are $10,896, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Southern Mississippi Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#2

Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, Florida
#15 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida Atlantic University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at FAU are $18,482, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at FAU

#3

Mississippi State University

Mississippi State, Mississippi

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Mississippi State University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. Mississippi State University is located in Mississippi State, Mississippi and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 74 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Mississippi State also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Mississippi State are $23,950, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Mississippi State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#4

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#3 in overall quality

Out of the 28 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Georgia landed the #4 spot on the list. UGA is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UGA also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UGA are $27,476, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UGA

#5

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#18 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend East Carolina University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Greenville, North Carolina, and it awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

ECU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. Average graduate tuition and fees at ECU are $20,685, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at ECU

#6

Clemson University

Clemson, South Carolina
#14 in overall quality

Clemson University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. Clemson University is a large school located in Clemson, South Carolina that handed out 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree geology students list, Clemson has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Clemson University are $23,246, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Clemson University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#7

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#1 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 15 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are $30,248, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UNC Chapel Hill Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#8

University of Memphis

Memphis, Tennessee

With a ranking of #8, University of Memphis did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. University of Memphis is a public institution located in Memphis, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at UofM are $14,202, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full UofM Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#9

University of Arkansas

Fayetteville, Arkansas
#16 in overall quality

University of Arkansas came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. University of Arkansas is a large public school situated in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UARK, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UARK are $22,121.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UARK

With a ranking of #10, University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 14 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Florida - Main Campus are $21,126.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#11

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #11. UNCW is a fairly large school located in Wilmington, North Carolina that handed out 20 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNCW not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of North Carolina at Wilmington are $21,286.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UNCW

#12

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida

With a ranking of #12, Florida State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Florida State University are $26,707, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Florida State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#2 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree geology students list, Louisiana State University has also earned the #2 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Louisiana State University are $29,970.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

#14

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

Virginia Tech came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Virginia Tech are $30,547, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Virginia Tech

#15

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#5 in overall quality

University of Florida came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UF also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Florida are $30,130.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Florida

With a ranking of #16, University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. This fairly large school is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, and it awarded 26 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UL Lafayette not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UL Lafayette are $23,865.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UL Lafayette

#17

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Charlotte, North Carolina
#25 in overall quality

University of North Carolina at Charlotte landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. University of North Carolina at Charlotte is a public institution located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UNC Charlotte also took the #25 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UNC Charlotte are $21,055, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UNC Charlotte

#24 in overall quality

Florida International University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. FIU is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

FIU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #24 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Florida International University are $24,211.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida International University

#19

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#21 in overall quality

West Virginia University landed the #19 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. WVU is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WVU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at West Virginia University are $26,154, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at WVU

#20

East Tennessee State University

Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. This fairly large school is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, and it awarded 16 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Average graduate tuition and fees at East Tennessee State University are $25,679, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full East Tennessee State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#21

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. This large school is located in Columbia, South Carolina, and it awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of South Carolina - Columbia are $30,160, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UofSC

#22

Georgia State University

Atlanta, Georgia
#23 in overall quality

Georgia State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region master’s degree geology students list, Georgia State has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Georgia State University are $24,790.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Georgia State University

#23

Auburn University

Auburn, Alabama
#9 in overall quality

Auburn University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking. Auburn, Alabama is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2019-2020.

Auburn also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Auburn are $31,956, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Auburn University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#24

The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Alabama
#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, The University of Alabama did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region list. UA is a large public school situated in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. It awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UA also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #12. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UA are $30,940.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UA

#25

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Southeast Region ranking, coming in at #25. Middle Tennessee State University is a public institution located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Middle Tennessee State University are $26,172.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University

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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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