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2023 Most Focused Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Plains States Region

33 Ranked Colleges
$27,500 Avg Cost*
Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2021-2022, 6,214 people earned their degree in geology & earth sciences, making the major the 125th most popular in the United States.

Across the Plains States region, there were 382 geology & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $0 and $0 respectively.

This year’s “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 33 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geology & earth sciences. The colleges and universities that top this list are recognized because their geology & earth sciences program is one of the largest majors offered at the school.

See our ranking methodology to learn more.

More Ways to Rank Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

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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 “Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” list to help you make the college 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. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region geology students.

Top 25 Most Focused Colleges for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Plains States Region

1
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

Out of the 33 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Carleton College landed the #1 spot on the list. Northfield, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 18 students in 2021-2022.

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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Carleton

2

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Rapid City, South Dakota, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Full South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Geology & Earth Sciences Report

3
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Macalester College. It ranked #3 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 15 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. 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.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Macalester

4

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Minnesota - Morris. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. UMN Morris is a small public school situated in Morris, Minnesota. It awarded 1 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UMN Morris

5
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

Out of the 33 schools in the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, Cornell College landed the #5 spot on the list. Cornell College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Mount Vernon, Iowa. The school has a small population, and it awarded 7 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Cornell College

6

University of Minnesota - Duluth did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #6. This medium-sized school is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and it awarded 10 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full University of Minnesota - Duluth Geology & Earth Sciences Report

7
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Winona, Minnesota, this medium-sized public school awarded 16 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Winona State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

8

Fort Hays State University landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. FHSU is a public institution located in Hays, Kansas. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 27 ’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.8% 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 Fort Hays State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

9
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, this small private not-for-profit school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College

10

Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #10 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 19 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Missouri State

11

Northwest Missouri State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Located in Maryville, Missouri, this medium-sized public school awarded 12 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Northwest Missouri State University

12

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large public school situated in Fargo, North Dakota. It awarded 2 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

13
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas ranked #13 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Kansas is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 21 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, 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 85%.

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

14

Emporia State University ranked #14 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. ESU is a medium-sized school located in Emporia, Kansas that handed out 4 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

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

15

University of Northern Iowa came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. UNI is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 5 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.1% 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 UNI Geology & Earth Sciences Report

16

University of Nebraska - Lincoln ranked #16 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Nebraska - Lincoln is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 23 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UNL Geology & Earth Sciences Report

17

Iowa State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #17. Iowa State is located in Ames, Iowa and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 20 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, 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 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Iowa State University Geology & Earth Sciences Report

18
Iowa crest
University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa ranked #18 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This large school is located in Iowa City, Iowa, and it awarded 25 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at Iowa

19

Minnesota State University - Mankato landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Mankato, Minnesota is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full Minnesota State Mankato Geology & Earth Sciences Report

20

With a ranking of #20, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, this large public school awarded 34 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2021-2022.

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 92%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UMN Twin Cities

21
K -State crest
Kansas State University
Manhattan, Kansas

Kansas State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Manhattan, Kansas is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2021-2022.

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%. 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 full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at K -State

22

With a ranking of #22, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 7 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. 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%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at UST MN

23

Washington University in St Louis came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Washington University in St Louis is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Saint Louis, Missouri. It awarded 11 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 7 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%.

Read full report on Geology & Earth Sciences at WUSTL

24
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University ranked #24 on this year’s Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Minot State University is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 4 ’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full MSU Geology & Earth Sciences Report

25

University of Missouri - Columbia did quite well in the 2023 Schools Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #25. Mizzou is located in Columbia, Missouri and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 more about Geology & Earth Sciences at Mizzou

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References

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