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2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

36 Ranked Colleges
430 Degrees Awarded
$27,200 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

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 Plains States region, there were 430 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,405 and $25,612 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 36 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.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region geology students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Plains States Region

1
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools 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. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 21 students in 2020-2021.

The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.8% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Carleton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

2

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a small school located in Rapid City, South Dakota that handed out 11 ’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 SD Mines

3
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Macalester College landed the #3 spot on the list. Macalester College is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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.

Full Macalester Geological & Earth Sciences Report

4

Out of the 36 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Vermilion Community College landed the #4 spot on the list. Vermilion Community College is a small public school situated in Ely, Minnesota. It awarded 2 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Vermilion Community College

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #5 for the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region. UMN Morris is a small public school situated in Morris, Minnesota. It awarded 4 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

6
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

Cornell College ranked #6 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Cornell College is a small school located in Mount Vernon, Iowa that handed out 3 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Cornell College

7

Missouri University of Science and Technology ranked #7 on this year’s Schools 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 21 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Geological & Earth Sciences Report

8

With a ranking of #8, University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. UMN Duluth is a public institution located in Duluth, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 19 ’s 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

9
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #9. Winona State is a public institution located in Winona, Minnesota. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Winona State

10

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #10. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school handed out 59 degrees to qualified ’s geology students 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

11

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #11. FHSU is located in Hays, Kansas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at FHSU

12
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Gustavus Adolphus College is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Peter, Minnesota. It awarded 2 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College

13

With a ranking of #13, Minnesota State University - Moorhead did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. MSU Moorhead is a medium-sized public school situated in Moorhead, Minnesota. It awarded 6 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

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 more about Geological & Earth Sciences at MSU Moorhead

14

Northwest Missouri State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #14. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Full Northwest Geological & Earth Sciences Report

15

With a ranking of #15, North Dakota State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Fargo, North Dakota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 11 students 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 North Dakota State University - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

16
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #16. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 27 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at KU

17
ESU crest
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas

Emporia State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. This medium-sized school is located in Emporia, Kansas, and it awarded 6 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.8% 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%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at ESU

18
UNI crest
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, Iowa

University of Northern Iowa came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students 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 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Northern Iowa Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #19. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 40 ’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%.

Full UMN Twin Cities Geological & Earth Sciences Report

20
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, this fairly large public school handed out 7 degrees to qualified ’s geology students 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%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at St. Cloud State University

21

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Lincoln, Nebraska, this large public school handed out 15 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

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 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%.

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

22

Iowa State University ranked #22 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Ames, Iowa, and it awarded 21 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Iowa State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

23
WUSTL crest
Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, Missouri

Washington University in St Louis did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #23. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large school located in Saint Louis, Missouri that handed out 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 WUSTL Geological & Earth Sciences Report

24

University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #24. This fairly large school is located in Kansas City, Missouri, and it awarded 8 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

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

25
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #25 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 21 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%.

Full Iowa Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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