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2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

37 Ranked Colleges
1,219 Degrees Awarded
$9,200 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools 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. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2020-2021, 6,024 people earned their degree in geology and earth sciences, making the major the 125th most popular in the United States.

Across the Southeast region, there were 1,219 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 Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 37 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.

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.

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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 “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list to help you make the college decision.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. If you’re torn between two schools, you can use it to help you see how they stack up against one another. Bookmark it so you can compare any new schools that might interest you.

Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k

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

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

1
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida

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 in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Gainesville, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.

UF not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $65 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UF.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 97%.

Full UF Geology & Earth Sciences Report

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. This large school is located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and it awarded 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Chapel Hill also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is $3,753 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

3

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of South Florida - Main Campus. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. University of South Florida - Main Campus is a large school located in Tampa, Florida that handed out 39 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of South Florida - Main Campus is $4,176 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 USF Tampa Geology & Earth Sciences Report

4
William & Mary crest
William & Mary
Williamsburg, Virginia

Out of the 37 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #4 spot on the list. This medium-sized school is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, William & Mary has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend William & Mary is $5,972 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at William & Mary

5
Florida State crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Florida State University. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Tallahassee, Florida is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 18 students in 2020-2021.

Florida State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Florida State is $4,950 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, 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 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Florida State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

6

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 20 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University is $11,318 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Geology & Earth Sciences Report

7
NC State crest
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Raleigh, North Carolina, and it awarded 14 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

NC State also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $7,283 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

8
UGA crest
University of Georgia
Athens, Georgia

University of Georgia ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Athens, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.

UGA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Georgia is $8,303 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UGA

9
WVU crest
West Virginia University
Morgantown, West Virginia

West Virginia University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. WVU is located in Morgantown, West Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 49 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

WVU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend West Virginia University is $10,014 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at West Virginia University

10

With a ranking of #10, Florida International University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida International University is located in Miami, Florida and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at FIU, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FIU is $3,196 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at FIU

11

The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Located in Knoxville, Tennessee, this large public school handed out 49 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

UT Knoxville also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $10,433 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend The University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Tennessee - Knoxville

12
Appalachian State crest
Appalachian State University
Boone, North Carolina

With a ranking of #12, Appalachian State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Appalachian State University is a large school located in Boone, North Carolina that handed out 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Appalachian State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,354 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Appalachian State.

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

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Appalachian State

13
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Tech landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Virginia Tech is located in Blacksburg, Virginia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Virginia Tech, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Virginia Tech is $11,934 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 93%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Virginia Tech

14
Mississippi State crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi

Mississippi State University landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Mississippi State, Mississippi, this large public school awarded 177 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

Mississippi State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $13,025 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Mississippi State University.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full Mississippi State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

15

University of Louisiana at Lafayette ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UL Lafayette is a fairly large public school situated in Lafayette, Louisiana. It awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UL Lafayette did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $9,990 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full UL Lafayette Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16

University of North Carolina at Wilmington came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Wilmington, North Carolina, and it awarded 33 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UNCW, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNCW is $11,710 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNCW Geology & Earth Sciences Report

17
ECU crest
East Carolina University
Greenville, North Carolina

With a ranking of #17, East Carolina University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, this large public school handed out 21 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.

ECU also took the #19 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,260 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Full East Carolina University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

18

University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #18 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UofSC is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 25 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UofSC has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UofSC is $12,130 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of South Carolina - Columbia

19

University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #19. UNC Charlotte is a large public school situated in Charlotte, North Carolina. It awarded 75 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UNC Charlotte did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $12,751 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UNC Charlotte

20
Georgia State crest
Georgia State University
Atlanta, Georgia

Georgia State University ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Georgia State is a large school located in Atlanta, Georgia that handed out 19 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Georgia State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $15,197 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Georgia State.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Georgia State

21
WCU crest
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, North Carolina

Western Carolina University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and it awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

It costs about $9,305 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCU.

Full WCU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

22
ETSU crest
East Tennessee State University
Johnson City, Tennessee

East Tennessee State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. ETSU is a fairly large school located in Johnson City, Tennessee that handed out 34 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

ETSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $9,483 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend East Tennessee State University.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at ETSU

23
Middle Tennessee State University crest
Middle Tennessee State University
Murfreesboro, Tennessee

With a ranking of #23, Middle Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $8,763 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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

24
UK crest
University of Kentucky
Lexington, Kentucky

University of Kentucky landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Lexington, Kentucky, and it awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

UK also took the #23 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Kentucky is $12,593 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Kentucky

25
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, Virginia

James Madison University ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. James Madison University is a public institution located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.

JMU also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #17. The yearly cost to attend JMU is $14,288 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full JMU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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