2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
36
Ranked Colleges
1,540
Degrees Awarded
$8,900
Avg Net Price*
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking.
In 2020-2021, 7,821 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 95th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Southeast region, there were 1,540 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,423 and $24,357 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” ranking analyzed 36 colleges that offered 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.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geological and earth sciences 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 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 Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
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. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $0-$30k) in the Southeast Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Florida. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This large school is located in Gainesville, Florida, and it awarded 32 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UF also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #1. The yearly cost to attend UF is $65 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Florida
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k. UNC Chapel Hill is a public institution located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 29 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Chapel Hill has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $3,753 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of South Florida - Main Campus landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Tampa, Florida, and it awarded 50 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
USF Tampa did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend USF Tampa is $4,176 for Southeast Region Geology 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 undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at USF Tampa
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, William & Mary landed the #4 spot on the list. William & Mary is a medium-sized public school situated in Williamsburg, Virginia. It awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
William & Mary did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for William & Mary is $5,972 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
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%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at William & Mary
Out of the 36 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k that were part of this year’s ranking, Florida State University landed the #5 spot on the list. Florida State is a public institution located in Tallahassee, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 33 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Florida State also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $4,950 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Florida State.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida State
With a ranking of #6, Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Louisiana State University is a large school located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana that handed out 72 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Louisiana State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College is $11,318 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.0% 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%.
Full Louisiana State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
North Carolina State University came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. North Carolina State University is a public institution located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 32 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
NC State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. It costs about $7,283 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend NC State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.0% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NC State
University of Georgia did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #8. UGA is located in Athens, Georgia and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 17 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UGA, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UGA is $8,303 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.9% 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 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full University of Georgia Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #9, Florida Atlantic University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Florida Atlantic University is a public institution located in Boca Raton, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 19 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FAU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #17 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Florida Atlantic University is $6,726 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Florida Atlantic University
With a ranking of #10, West Virginia University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. West Virginia University is a large public school situated in Morgantown, West Virginia. It awarded 49 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, WVU has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $10,014 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend West Virginia University.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at WVU
Florida International University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #11. Florida International University is a public institution located in Miami, Florida. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
FIU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $3,196 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend FIU.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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%.
Full FIU Geological & Earth Sciences Report
The University of Tennessee - Knoxville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #12. Knoxville, Tennessee is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 49 students in 2020-2021.
UT Knoxville not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #9 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UT Knoxville is $10,433 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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 UT Knoxville Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Appalachian State University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Boone, North Carolina is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
Appalachian State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #22. The estimated yearly cost for Appalachian State is $7,354 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Appalachian State
Virginia Tech ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Virginia Tech is a public institution located in Blacksburg, Virginia. The school has a large population, and it awarded 26 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Virginia Tech also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. It costs about $11,934 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend Virginia Tech.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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 Virginia Tech Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Mississippi State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Mississippi State is a public institution located in Mississippi State, Mississippi. The school has a large population, and it awarded 181 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Mississippi State also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mississippi State is $13,025 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Mississippi State
With a ranking of #16, University of Louisiana at Lafayette did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. This fairly large school is located in Lafayette, Louisiana, and it awarded 27 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UL Lafayette, the school also landed the #21 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Louisiana at Lafayette is $9,990 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full University of Louisiana at Lafayette Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of North Carolina at Wilmington ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UNCW is a fairly large public school situated in Wilmington, North Carolina. It awarded 48 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UNCW also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #13. The yearly cost to attend University of North Carolina at Wilmington is $11,710 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of North Carolina at Wilmington
University of South Carolina - Columbia landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. University of South Carolina - Columbia is a public institution located in Columbia, South Carolina. The school has a large population, and it awarded 28 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UofSC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UofSC is $12,130 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UofSC
East Carolina University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. East Carolina University is located in Greenville, North Carolina and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, ECU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Carolina University is $11,260 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at East Carolina University
University of North Carolina at Charlotte did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking, coming in at #20. UNC Charlotte is a large school located in Charlotte, North Carolina that handed out 75 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, UNC Charlotte has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UNC Charlotte is $12,751 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.4% 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 school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UNC Charlotte Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #21, Georgia State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Atlanta, Georgia is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
Georgia State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Georgia State University is $15,197 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Georgia State University
Western Carolina University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Western Carolina University is a fairly large public school situated in Cullowhee, North Carolina. It awarded 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $9,305 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k per year to attend WCU.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Carolina University
With a ranking of #23, East Tennessee State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. Johnson City, Tennessee is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k list, ETSU has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for East Tennessee State University is $9,483 for southeast region geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Full East Tennessee State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Middle Tennessee State University came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k ranking. Middle Tennessee State University is located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 22 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
The estimated yearly cost for Middle Tennessee State University is $8,763 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Middle Tennessee State University
University of Kentucky ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Southeast Region For Those Making $0-$30k list. UK is a large school located in Lexington, Kentucky that handed out 9 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UK, the school also landed the #24 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kentucky is $12,593 for Southeast Region Geology students whose families make $0-$30k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UK
