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2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

24 Ranked Colleges
963 Degrees Awarded
$12,800 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest 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 in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Geology & Earth Sciences is the 101st most popular major in the country with 7,036 degrees awarded in 2019-2020.

Across the Southwest region, there were 963 geology and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 24 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.

To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geology and earth sciences program at the school. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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. 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 Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k.

Top 24 Best Value Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences (Income $30-$48k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Arizona landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Tucson, Arizona, this large public school handed out 78 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Arizona is $11,466 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of Arizona Geology & Earth Sciences Report

Out of the 24 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #2 spot on the list. College Station, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 100 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M University - College Station is $13,270 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.

Full Texas A&M University - College Station Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#3

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 48 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $13,326 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Texas Tech University.

With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Texas Tech University

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas of the Permian Basin. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Odessa, Texas, this medium-sized public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UT Permian Basin also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,221 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UT Permian Basin.

Full The University of Texas of the Permian Basin Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#5

University of Houston

Houston, Texas

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Houston. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k. University of Houston is a large public school situated in Houston, Texas. It awarded 66 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UH not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. It costs about $9,925 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Houston.

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 Houston

The University of Texas at San Antonio did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #6. Located in San Antonio, Texas, this large public school awarded 32 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UTSA, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at San Antonio is $11,109 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UTSA

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 36 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, OSU has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend OSU is $9,962 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

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

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. The University of Texas at Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 64 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #1 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UT Austin is $13,575 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin

#9

MSU Texas

Wichita Falls, Texas

MSU Texas came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. MSU Texas is a public institution located in Wichita Falls, Texas. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 23 ’s degrees in 2019-2020.

MSU Texas did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for MSU Texas is $8,554 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at MSU Texas

With a ranking of #10, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Tempe, Arizona, and it awarded 24 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for ASU - Tempe is $8,921 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at ASU - Tempe

New Mexico State University - Main Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is located in Las Cruces, New Mexico and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 18 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

NMSU Main Campus also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,006 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend NMSU Main Campus.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at New Mexico State University - Main Campus

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UT Dallas is a large school located in Richardson, Texas that handed out 39 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UT Dallas is $11,745 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.9%, 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 Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. Located in El Paso, Texas, this large public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k list, UTEP has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $7,427 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend The University of Texas at El Paso.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

The University of Texas at Arlington did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. UT Arlington is located in Arlington, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 38 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UT Arlington not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for The University of Texas at Arlington is $12,974 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full UT Arlington Geology & Earth Sciences Report

University of Houston - Downtown landed the #15 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Houston - Downtown is located in Houston, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 19 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH Downtown, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Houston - Downtown is $6,131 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full University of Houston - Downtown Geology & Earth Sciences Report

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 32 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Oklahoma is $17,285 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, 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 87%.

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

#17

Northern Arizona University

Flagstaff, Arizona

With a ranking of #17, Northern Arizona University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Flagstaff, Arizona, and it awarded 41 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at NAU, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for NAU is $9,799 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Northern Arizona University

#18

Sam Houston State University

Huntsville, Texas

Sam Houston State University landed the #18 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Huntsville, Texas, this large public school awarded 8 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

SHSU also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Sam Houston State University is $11,634 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Sam Houston State University

Stephen F Austin State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. Located in Nacogdoches, Texas, this fairly large public school handed out 21 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2019-2020.

SFASU also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. It costs about $10,816 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Stephen F Austin State University.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at SFASU

#20

Tarleton State University

Stephenville, Texas

With a ranking of #20, Tarleton State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Tarleton State University is a fairly large public school situated in Stephenville, Texas. It awarded 10 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Tarleton did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #13 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Tarleton is $17,132 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Full Tarleton Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#21

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico

University of New Mexico - Main Campus came in at #21 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This large school is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UNM also made our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #23. It costs about $14,458 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNM.

Full UNM Geology & Earth Sciences Report

#22

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, Texas

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #22. Corpus Christi, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Corpus Christi is $16,393 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

#23

Texas Christian University

Fort Worth, Texas

Texas Christian University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Fort Worth, Texas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2019-2020.

TCU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” list. The yearly cost to attend TCU is $23,246 for southwest region geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The low 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at TCU

#24

Baylor University

Waco, Texas

With a ranking of #24, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southwest Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Waco, Texas, and it awarded 19 ’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Baylor, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Baylor is $29,849 for Southwest Region Geology students whose families make $30-$48k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, 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 91%.

Full Baylor University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

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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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