2023 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
12
Ranked Colleges
400
Degrees Awarded
$12,300
Avg Net Price*
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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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 Rocky Mountains region, there were 400 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 12 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geology and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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 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 in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k” 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. 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 Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 12 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Rocky Mountains Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wyoming. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Laramie, Wyoming, this fairly large public school awarded 27 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UW also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list, coming in at #2. The estimated yearly cost for UW is $6,776 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at UW
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brigham Young University - Provo. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k. BYU is located in Provo, Utah and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 26 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, BYU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $10,333 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend BYU.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Brigham Young University - Provo
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Colorado Boulder. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this large public school handed out 59 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
CU - Boulder not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Colorado Boulder is $13,901 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full CU - Boulder Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 12 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Colorado State University - Fort Collins landed the #4 spot on the list. Located in Fort Collins, Colorado, this large public school awarded 19 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Colorado State also took the #5 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. It costs about $12,736 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Colorado State University - Fort Collins.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Colorado State
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Utah. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 26 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
U of U not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Utah is $11,823 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.7% 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 U of U
Colorado School of Mines came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 9 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Mines did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Colorado School of Mines is $13,690 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Colorado School of Mines
University of Idaho ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Idaho is located in Moscow, Idaho and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 18 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of I, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Idaho is $11,148 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.1% 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 U of I Geology & Earth Sciences Report
University of Northern Colorado ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Northern Colorado is a fairly large school located in Greeley, Colorado that handed out 22 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Northern Colorado also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Northern Colorado is $13,774 for Rocky Mountains Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
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%.
Full University of Northern Colorado Geology & Earth Sciences Report
Boise State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #9. Boise, Idaho is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
Boise State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. It costs about $13,582 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Boise State University.
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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Boise State University
Montana State University came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Bozeman, Montana, and it awarded 47 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
MSU Bozeman did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Montana State University is $16,779 for rocky mountains region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Montana State University
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