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2022 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

15 Ranked Colleges
284 Degrees Awarded
$11,500 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor's in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

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 Plains States region, there were 382 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 284 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $39,786 and $25,576 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 15 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Top 15 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region

#10 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Minnesota - Morris is a public institution located in Morris, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UMN Morris not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMN Morris is $3,435 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UMN Morris Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#2

University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, Minnesota
#4 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school handed out 14 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UMN Twin Cities has also earned the #4 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is $8,418 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

#9 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Duluth. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UMN Duluth, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Duluth is $7,992 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The low student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Minnesota - Duluth

#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Missouri - Columbia. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Mizzou is a public institution located in Columbia, Missouri. The school has a large population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,595 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Missouri - Columbia

#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Iowa State University. It ranked #5 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Iowa State, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $10,843 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Iowa State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#6

University of Northern Iowa

Cedar Falls, Iowa
#2 in overall quality

University of Northern Iowa landed the #6 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 10 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,495 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Northern Iowa.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UNI

#13 in overall quality

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Northwest Missouri State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 11 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwest also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest Missouri State University is $9,863 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#8

Kansas State University

Manhattan, Kansas
#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #8, Kansas State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kansas State University is a large public school situated in Manhattan, Kansas. It awarded 11 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

K -State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,089 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Kansas State University.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%.

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

#12 in overall quality

Fort Hays State University came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Hays, Kansas, and it awarded 16 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

FHSU also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for FHSU is $9,882 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

#1 in overall quality

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is located in Rapid City, South Dakota and, has a small student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at SD Mines, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend SD Mines is $16,644 for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

#11

University of Kansas

Lawrence, Kansas
#3 in overall quality

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #11. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 21 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $15,380 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Kansas

#11 in overall quality

Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #12. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 12 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $13,488 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Missouri State University - Springfield.

Full Missouri State Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#13

Wichita State University

Wichita, Kansas
#15 in overall quality

Wichita State University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Wichita, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at WSU, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Wichita State University is $12,543 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full WSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#14

Gustavus Adolphus College

Saint Peter, Minnesota
#7 in overall quality

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #14 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Saint Peter, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 4 students in 2019-2020.

Gustavus Adolphus did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Gustavus Adolphus is $11,669 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus

#15

University of Missouri - Kansas City

Kansas City, Missouri
#14 in overall quality

University of Missouri - Kansas City landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Bachelor’s in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Missouri - Kansas City is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 8 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UMKC not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Missouri - Kansas City is $12,553 for Plains States Region Bachelor’s Degree Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at University of Missouri - Kansas City

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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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