2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k
22
Ranked Colleges
243
Degrees Awarded
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
Geophysics & Seismology is the 757th most popular major in the country with 243 degrees awarded in 2020-2021.
For this year’s “Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 22 colleges that offer a degree in geophysics and seismology. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geophysics and seismology programs, but they also 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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 Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
You can create your own custom comparison that focuses on the factors most important to you using our tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 22 Best Value Colleges for Geophysics & Seismology (Income $48-$75k)
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #1 spot on the list. Stanford is located in Stanford, California and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 ’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.
Stanford also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $7,081 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Stanford.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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 86%.
Full Stanford University Geophysics & Seismology Report
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 Those Making $48-$75k. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 17 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UChicago is $8,375 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of Chicago
Out of the 22 schools in the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Washington - Seattle Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 17 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #5 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $8,393 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UW Seattle Geophysics & Seismology Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California Institute of Technology. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Pasadena, California is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geophysics degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
Caltech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for California Institute of Technology is $9,755 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The impressive undergraduate 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. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at California Institute of Technology
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of California - Berkeley. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k. Berkeley, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geophysics degrees to 13 students in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend UC Berkeley is $13,423 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 96%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at UC Berkeley
University of Wyoming came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wyoming is located in Laramie, Wyoming and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 ’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.
UW also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wyoming is $9,394 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.5% 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 Geophysics & Seismology at UW
University of Houston came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Houston, Texas, and it awarded 42 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
UH did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for UH is $13,382 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.4%, 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 86%.
Full University of Houston Geophysics & Seismology Report
University of California - Los Angeles came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school awarded 13 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.
UCLA also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $12,644 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, 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 1.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at UCLA
The University of Texas at Austin landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UT Austin is located in Austin, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 2 ’s geophysics degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UT Austin, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at Austin is $16,134 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, 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 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at UT Austin
University of California - Riverside ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. UCR is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 3 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UCR has also earned the #15 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Riverside is $11,126 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UCR Geophysics & Seismology Report
With a ranking of #11, Texas A&M University - College Station did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in College Station, Texas, and it awarded 10 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
Texas A&M College Station not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend Texas A&M College Station is $17,525 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad 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%.
Read full report on Geophysics & Seismology at Texas A&M University - College Station
With a ranking of #12, University of Nevada - Reno did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UNR has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $15,106 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UNR.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Nevada - Reno Geophysics & Seismology Report
With a ranking of #13, University of Utah did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and it awarded 6 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U of U, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. It costs about $13,842 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend U of U.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geophysics & Seismology at University of Utah
The University of Texas at El Paso did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #14. El Paso, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geophysics degrees to 3 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k list, UTEP has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The yearly cost to attend The University of Texas at El Paso is $10,682 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full The University of Texas at El Paso Geophysics & Seismology Report
With a ranking of #15, University of Colorado Boulder did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Boulder, Colorado is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geophysics degrees to 5 students in 2020-2021.
CU - Boulder not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The estimated yearly cost for CU - Boulder is $18,204 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% 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 Geophysics & Seismology at CU - Boulder
Colorado School of Mines landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Mines is a public institution located in Golden, Colorado. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 14 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mines also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #6. The yearly cost to attend Colorado School of Mines is $24,461 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 92%, 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%.
Full Mines Geophysics & Seismology Report
San Diego State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. SDSU is a large public school situated in San Diego, California. It awarded 2 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at SDSU, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $14,698 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad 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 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full SDSU Geophysics & Seismology Report
Western Washington University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #18. This fairly large school is located in Bellingham, Washington, and it awarded 2 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
WWU also made our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list, coming in at #16. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $16,819 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 more about Geophysics & Seismology at Western Washington University
Texas A&M University - Kingsville ranked #19 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas A&M Kingsville is a medium-sized public school situated in Kingsville, Texas. It awarded 5 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M Kingsville, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Texas A&M Kingsville is $13,939 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Texas A&M University - Kingsville Geophysics & Seismology Report
Boise State University came in at #20 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Boise State University is a large public school situated in Boise, Idaho. It awarded 4 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
Boise State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Boise State University is $16,204 for Geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 Geophysics & Seismology at Boise State University
University of South Carolina - Columbia ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified ’s geophysics students in 2020-2021.
UofSC also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UofSC is $20,325 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.1%, 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 90%.
Full University of South Carolina - Columbia Geophysics & Seismology Report
With a ranking of #22, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geophysics Schools For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Oklahoma is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 16 ’s geophysics degrees in 2020-2021.
University of Oklahoma did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is $21,725 for geophysics students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 87%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.3%, 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
Focus on a Specific Degree Level
Switch to a More General Major
Switch to a Similar Major
Switch to a Different Ranking Method
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
- *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.