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2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

34 Ranked Colleges
263 Degrees Awarded
$31,134 Avg Salary
Schools for a Bachelor's Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking.

In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. 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 Plains States region, there were 430 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,405 and $25,612 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 263 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $41,046 and $29,021 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geological and earth sciences. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in geological and earth sciences.

Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

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When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college decision.

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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region”.

Top 25 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Plains States Region

1
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #1 spot on the list. Carleton is a small school located in Northfield, Minnesota that handed out 21 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Carleton

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Rapid City, South Dakota, this small public school awarded 9 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 SD Mines

3
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Macalester College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Macalester is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Macalester

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. UMN Morris is a small public school situated in Morris, Minnesota. It awarded 4 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Minnesota - Morris

5
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Cornell College landed the #5 spot on the list. Located in Mount Vernon, Iowa, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Cornell College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University ranked #6 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth ranked #7 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. UMN Duluth is a medium-sized school located in Duluth, Minnesota that handed out 12 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% 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 Minnesota - Duluth Geological & Earth Sciences Report

8
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Gustavus Adolphus College is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus

9

Missouri University of Science and Technology ranked #9 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Missouri University of Science and Technology is located in Rolla, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% 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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology

10

Minnesota State University - Moorhead came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized school located in Moorhead, Minnesota that handed out 6 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad 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%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Minnesota State University - Moorhead

11

Missouri State University - Springfield came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Springfield, Missouri, and it awarded 22 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Missouri State

12

Fort Hays State University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. FHSU is a fairly large public school situated in Hays, Kansas. It awarded 16 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Fort Hays State University

13

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a public institution located in Maryville, Missouri. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

14

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 11 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at North Dakota State University - Main Campus

15
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University ranked #15 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Emporia State University is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full ESU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

16
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Northern Iowa is located in Cedar Falls, Iowa and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Geological & Earth Sciences Report

17
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large public school situated in Saint Cloud, Minnesota. It awarded 7 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full St. Cloud State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

18

Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #18 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 7 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State University - Mankato Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19
UST MN crest
University of St Thomas Minnesota
Saint Paul, Minnesota

University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Geological & Earth Sciences Report

20
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This small school is located in Minot, North Dakota, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Full Minot State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

21

Iowa State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Iowa State University is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 12 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Iowa State

22

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #22 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 20 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

23

With a ranking of #23, University of Nebraska - Lincoln did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is a public institution located in Lincoln, Nebraska. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #24 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. KU is a large public school situated in Lawrence, Kansas. It awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at KU

25

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 4 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Missouri - Kansas City

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