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2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k

16 Ranked Colleges
96 Degrees Awarded
$10,300 Avg Net Price*
Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor's 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 Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking - to help you make that decision.

In 2019-2020, 251 people earned their degree in geophysics and seismology, making the major the 674th most popular in the United States.

At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 96 geophysics and seismology graduates with average earnings and debt of $38,303 and $24,501 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 16 colleges that offered a degree in geophysics and seismology. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geophysics and seismology programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.

When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geophysics and seismology program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. See our ranking methodology to learn more.

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 Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k” 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. 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.

Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 16 Best Value Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geophysics & Seismology (Income $0-$30k)

#1

California Institute of Technology

Pasadena, California
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. This small school is located in Pasadena, California, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

Caltech also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $5,456 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Caltech.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 3 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 Geophysics & Seismology at California Institute of Technology

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k. UChicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 6 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Chicago is $2,712 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at University of Chicago

#3

Brown University

Providence, Rhode Island
#6 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Brown University. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, this medium-sized private not-for-profit school handed out 6 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geophysics students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Brown, the school also landed the #6 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Brown University is $201 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one.

Full Brown University Geophysics & Seismology Report

#7 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #4 spot on the list. University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a large public school situated in Seattle, Washington. It awarded 15 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

UW Seattle also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #7. It costs about $7,850 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UW Seattle.

With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students. The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UW Seattle

#5 in overall quality

Out of the 16 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of California - Berkeley landed the #5 spot on the list. UC Berkeley is a large school located in Berkeley, California that handed out 7 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Berkeley is $8,392 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an impressive student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UC Berkeley

#3 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 14 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

Texas A&M College Station also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $11,454 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics 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 student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at Texas A&M University - College Station

#7

University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California
#9 in overall quality

University of California - Los Angeles ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Los Angeles, California, and it awarded 4 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

UCLA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Los Angeles is $8,553 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The low student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 96%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full University of California - Los Angeles Geophysics & Seismology Report

#15 in overall quality

University of California - Riverside landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UCR is a large school located in Riverside, California that handed out 2 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UCR, the school also landed the #15 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,366 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of California - Riverside.

The low student loan default rate of 2.1% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UCR Geophysics & Seismology Report

#9

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#8 in overall quality

University of Houston came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 9 diplomas to qualified bachelors’s geophysics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UH has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $10,203 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend UH.

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

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UH

#4 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Austin ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. UT Austin is a public institution located in Austin, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UT Austin also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UT Austin is $12,203 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its students.

Full UT Austin Geophysics & Seismology Report

#11

Western Washington University

Bellingham, Washington
#14 in overall quality

Western Washington University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. WWU is a public institution located in Bellingham, Washington. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 6 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

WWU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for Western Washington University is $9,743 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

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%.

Full Western Washington University Geophysics & Seismology Report

#12 in overall quality

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified bachelors’s geophysics students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNR has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Nevada - Reno is $11,587 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at UNR

#13

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan
#11 in overall quality

Western Michigan University came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 bachelors’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.

WMU also took the #11 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,021 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Western Michigan University.

Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at Western Michigan University

#14

University of South Carolina - Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina
#16 in overall quality

With a ranking of #14, University of South Carolina - Columbia did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of South Carolina - Columbia is located in Columbia, South Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 3 bachelors’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.

UofSC also took the #16 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,426 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of South Carolina - Columbia.

The low 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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of South Carolina - Columbia

#13 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public institution located in Norman, Oklahoma. The school has a large population, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s degrees in 2019-2020.

University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma is $16,675 for bachelor’s degree geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The student loan default rate at the school is 4.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

#16

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#10 in overall quality

With a ranking of #16, Baylor University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geophysics Schools for a Bachelor’s For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baylor is a fairly large school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 2 bachelors’s geophysics degrees in 2019-2020.

Baylor not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #10 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Bachelor’s Degree Schools” list. It costs about $26,726 for Bachelor’s Degree Geophysics students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Baylor University.

The student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 Geophysics & Seismology at Baylor

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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