2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
29
Ranked Colleges
731
Degrees Awarded
$9,100
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.
Geology & Earth Sciences is the 125th most popular major in the country with 6,024 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 731 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 29 colleges that offer a degree in geology and earth sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geology and earth sciences programs, but they also cost less that schools of similar quality.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
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 “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.
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. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $245 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Northwestern University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Northwestern
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large public school situated in Ann Arbor, Michigan. It awarded 62 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $2,670 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at U-M
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 46 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Madison is $3,981 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW - Madison
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $4,858 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 29 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. This large school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana, and it awarded 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $5,995 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Purdue University - Main Campus.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus
Michigan State University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 34 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State University is $6,927 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Michigan State
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is located in Bloomington, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Indiana University - Bloomington is $5,752 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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 Geology & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington
With a ranking of #8, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Ohio State has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,068 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Ohio State.
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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Ohio State University - Main Campus Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Beloit College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #9. Beloit, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 7 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Beloit has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $7,970 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Beloit College.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 90%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.
Full Beloit College Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. IUPUI is a public institution located in Indianapolis, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 11 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IUPUI also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #25. The estimated yearly cost for IUPUI is $7,026 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Ball State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Ball State is a public institution located in Muncie, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 9 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Ball State, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State is $8,273 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Ball State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a medium-sized public school situated in River Falls, Wisconsin. It awarded 8 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UW - River Falls has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,438 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW - River Falls.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UW - River Falls Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of Illinois at Chicago landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a public institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a large population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UIC also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,549 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UIC.
The school has an impressive undergrad 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 UIC
Western Michigan University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #14. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
WMU also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,112 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WMU.
Full WMU Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Miami University - Oxford came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 35 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Miami University - Oxford, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,956 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Miami University - Oxford.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Miami University - Oxford
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 8 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Eau Claire, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $9,547 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UW - Eau Claire
With a ranking of #17, Grand Valley State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Grand Valley State University is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 11 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $10,259 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend GVSU.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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 Geology & Earth Sciences at GVSU
Indiana State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, this medium-sized public school handed out 10 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana State University is $10,104 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full Indiana State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UC is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,061 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UC.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus
Illinois State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Illinois State University is located in Normal, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, Illinois State has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $13,783 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Illinois State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Illinois State University
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bowling Green, Ohio, and it awarded 7 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
BGSU also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for BGSU is $14,079 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #22. Located in Dayton, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 37 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Wright State University - Main Campus, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wright State University - Main Campus is $11,980 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus
Wayne State University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Wayne State University is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 15 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $11,060 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Wayne State.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Wayne State University
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a public institution located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UWM also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #24. The estimated yearly cost for UWM is $11,973 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UWM
Kent State University at Kent ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and it awarded 18 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Kent State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Kent State University at Kent is $13,793 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Kent State
