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2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

52 Ranked Colleges
984 Degrees Awarded
$8,000 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. 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 Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.

In 2019-2020, 7,036 people earned their degree in geology and earth sciences, making the major the 101st most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,351 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 984 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,277 and $25,415 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 52 colleges that offered a degree in geology and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geology and earth sciences programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons 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 Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 25 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region

#1

University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida
#3 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Florida. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UF is located in Gainesville, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 36 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UF did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Florida is $1,994 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%. The low student loan default rate of 2.0% 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%.

Full UF Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#2

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, North Carolina
#5 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. 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 23 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNC Chapel Hill did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $4,026 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

#3

Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee
#9 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Vanderbilt University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Vanderbilt University is located in Nashville, Tennessee and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Vanderbilt also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #9. It costs about $3,156 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Vanderbilt University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Vanderbilt University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#4

William & Mary

Williamsburg, Virginia
#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend William & Mary. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Williamsburg, Virginia, this medium-sized public school handed out 22 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

William & Mary not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $4,711 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full William & Mary Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#5

University of Georgia

Athens, Georgia
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Georgia. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of Georgia is a large school located in Athens, Georgia that handed out 15 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $7,541 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Georgia

#22 in overall quality

University of South Florida - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #6. USF Tampa is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 28 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

USF Tampa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $3,950 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend USF Tampa.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of South Florida - Main Campus

#7

Florida State University

Tallahassee, Florida
#15 in overall quality

Florida State University ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Tallahassee, Florida, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Florida State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $5,360 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Florida State University

#8

North Carolina State University

Raleigh, North Carolina
#8 in overall quality

North Carolina State University landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 13 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, NC State has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,285 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend North Carolina State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at NC State

With a ranking of #9, Florida International University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Miami, Florida, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,002 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida International University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at FIU

#10

Appalachian State University

Boone, North Carolina
#11 in overall quality

Appalachian State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #10. Appalachian State University is a large public school situated in Boone, North Carolina. It awarded 33 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Appalachian State has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $7,169 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State University.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, 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 students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Appalachian State

#11

Northern Kentucky University

Highland Heights, Kentucky

Northern Kentucky University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. NKU is located in Highland Heights, Kentucky and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Northern Kentucky University is $4,156 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full NKU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#2 in overall quality

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 10 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Louisiana State University also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $8,433 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

#13

West Virginia University

Morgantown, West Virginia
#10 in overall quality

West Virginia University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WVU is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 56 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

WVU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for WVU is $9,213 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at WVU

#14

Marshall University

Huntington, West Virginia

With a ranking of #14, Marshall University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Huntington, West Virginia, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

It costs about $5,770 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Marshall University.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Marshall University

#15

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia
#6 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Virginia Tech did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 19 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Virginia Tech also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,138 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 1.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Virginia Tech

#18 in overall quality

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UT Knoxville is located in Knoxville, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Knoxville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $10,224 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UT Knoxville Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#17

Middle Tennessee State University

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Middle Tennessee State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 33 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend Middle Tennessee State University is $8,919 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full Middle Tennessee State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#18

East Carolina University

Greenville, North Carolina
#21 in overall quality

East Carolina University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Carolina University is a public institution located in Greenville, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

ECU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,026 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full East Carolina University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#19

James Madison University

Harrisonburg, Virginia
#7 in overall quality

James Madison University ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Harrisonburg, Virginia, this large public school awarded 25 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

JMU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #7. The estimated yearly cost for James Madison University is $14,196 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 2.3% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at James Madison University

University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UL Lafayette is located in Lafayette, Louisiana and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 12 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The yearly cost to attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $9,621 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UL Lafayette

#21

University of North Carolina at Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina
#25 in overall quality

With a ranking of #21, University of North Carolina at Wilmington did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNCW is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 18 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNCW has also earned the #25 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,229 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UNCW.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Wilmington

#22

Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

The yearly cost to attend WCU is $9,188 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Western Carolina University

#23

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#24 in overall quality

University of South Carolina - Columbia came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 20 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #24 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $12,426 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The low 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 University of South Carolina - Columbia Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#24

University of Kentucky

Lexington, Kentucky
#17 in overall quality

University of Kentucky did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #24. Lexington, Kentucky is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UK has also earned the #17 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UK is $11,848 for southeast region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Kentucky

#25

Radford University

Radford, Virginia

With a ranking of #25, Radford University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Radford, Virginia, and it awarded 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

The estimated yearly cost for Radford is $12,071 for Southeast Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Radford 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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