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2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

13 Ranked Colleges
143 Degrees Awarded
$24,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 84th most popular major in the country with 8,918 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. In 2017-2018, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2015-2017, earned an average of $35,533 and had an average of $23,531 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Southwest region, there were 1,136 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $42,627 and $21,949 respectively. At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 143 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $71,970 and $95,025 respectively.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking, we looked at 13 colleges that offer a degree in geological and earth sciences. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geological and earth sciences programs, but they also 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 geological and earth sciences program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

The geology school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k”.

One of our other unique offerings is College Combat. This tool lets you build your own customized comparisons utilizing the factors that are most important to 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 Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k

The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k.

Top 13 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southwest Region

#1

University of Arizona

Tucson, Arizona

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Arizona. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k. Tucson, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

University of Arizona not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Arizona are $33,399, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Arizona

#1 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend The University of Texas at Austin. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Located in Austin, Texas, this large public school awarded 24 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Austin has also earned the #1 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full The University of Texas at Austin Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas
#8 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas Tech University landed the #3 spot on the list. Located in Lubbock, Texas, this large public school awarded 5 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Texas Tech did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #8 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530.

Full Texas Tech Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#3 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas A&M University - College Station. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Texas A&M College Station is located in College Station, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 17 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Texas A&M College Station, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M College Station are $22,743, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Texas A&M University - College Station

#5

University of Houston

Houston, Texas
#5 in overall quality

Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Houston landed the #5 spot on the list. University of Houston is a public institution located in Houston, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 18 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UH also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Houston are $18,689, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UH

#7 in overall quality

With a ranking of #6, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Tempe, Arizona is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 14 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at ASU - Tempe, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at ASU - Tempe are $27,048, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at ASU - Tempe

#9 in overall quality

Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. This large school is located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, OSU has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus are $23,963.

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

#11 in overall quality

The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. UTEP is a large public school situated in El Paso, Texas. It awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UTEP also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at UTEP are $16,180, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#10 in overall quality

The University of Texas at Dallas ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Richardson, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 5 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UT Dallas has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at The University of Texas at Dallas are $28,610, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full UT Dallas Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#11 in overall quality

New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. New Mexico State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Las Cruces, New Mexico that handed out 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

NMSU Main Campus also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at NMSU Main Campus are $18,275, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NMSU Main Campus

#4 in overall quality

University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. University of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a large public school situated in Norman, Oklahoma. It awarded 10 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at University of Oklahoma, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma are $23,236.

Full University of Oklahoma Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12

University of New Mexico - Main Campus

Albuquerque, New Mexico
#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #12, University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNM is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 1 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

UNM also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #13. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890.

Full University of New Mexico - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13

Baylor University

Waco, Texas
#6 in overall quality

Baylor University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Baylor University is located in Waco, Texas and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Baylor did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Baylor

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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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