2022 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking is part of that endeavor.
In 2019-2020, 8,918 people earned their degree in geological and earth sciences, making the major the 84th most popular in the United States. 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.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 13 colleges that offered a degree in geological and earth sciences. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geological and earth sciences programs and 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
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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 for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region 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. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.
Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 13 Best Value Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend The University of Texas at Austin. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. This large school is located in Austin, Texas, and it awarded 24 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.
UT Austin also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #1. Average graduate tuition and fees at UT Austin are $22,886, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at The University of Texas at Austin
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Arizona. It ranked #2 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Arizona is a large public school situated in Tucson, Arizona. It awarded 14 doctorate’s geology degrees 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Full University of Arizona Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Houston. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Houston, Texas, this large public school awarded 18 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UH, the school also landed the #5 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 UH are $18,689.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Houston
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Texas Tech University. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Texas Tech University is a public institution located in Lubbock, Texas. The school has a large population, and it awarded 5 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
Texas Tech also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Texas Tech University are $17,530, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Texas Tech University
Out of the 13 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Texas A&M University - College Station landed the #5 spot on the 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Texas A&M University - College Station are $22,743.
Full Texas A&M College Station Geological & Earth Sciences Report
New Mexico State University - Main Campus ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. NMSU Main Campus is a public institution located in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at NMSU Main Campus, the school also landed the #11 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 NMSU Main Campus are $18,275.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NMSU Main Campus
With a ranking of #7, Arizona State University - Tempe did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Arizona State University - Tempe is located in Tempe, Arizona and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, ASU - Tempe has also earned the #7 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 ASU - Tempe are $27,048.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Arizona State University - Tempe
The University of Texas at Dallas landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. The University of Texas at Dallas is located in Richardson, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 5 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UT Dallas also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #10. 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.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UT Dallas
Oklahoma State University - Main Campus landed the #9 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Oklahoma State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Stillwater, Oklahoma. It awarded 5 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at OSU, the school also landed the #9 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 OSU are $23,963.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Oklahoma State University - Main Campus
The University of Texas at El Paso landed the #10 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. The University of Texas at El Paso is located in El Paso, Texas and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our southwest region doctor’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UTEP has also earned the #11 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 UTEP are $16,180.
University of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #11 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school awarded 10 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.
University of Oklahoma also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #4. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Oklahoma Norman Campus are $23,236, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Oklahoma
University of New Mexico - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this large public school handed out 1 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2019-2020.
UNM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #13 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of New Mexico - Main Campus are $19,890, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of New Mexico - Main Campus
Baylor University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Doctorate in the Southwest Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Baylor is a fairly large school located in Waco, Texas that handed out 4 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.
Baylor also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor’s Degree Schools in the Southwest Region” list, coming in at #6. Average graduate tuition and fees at Baylor are $36,936, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southeast Region
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Middle Atlantic Region
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the New England Region
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Far Western US Region
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
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Best Geological & Earth Sciences Doctor's Degree Schools in the Southwest Region
Geological & Earth Sciences students in the Southwest Region
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Geological & Earth Sciences students in the Southwest Region
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Geological & Earth Sciences students in the Southwest Region
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Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Southwest Region
Geological & Earth Sciences students with family income $48-$75k in the Southwest Region
Best Value Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income Over $110k) in the Southwest Region
Geological & Earth Sciences students with family income exceeding $110k in the Southwest Region
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Geological & Earth Sciences students in the Southwest Region
Most Popular Doctor's Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Southwest Region
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Geological & Earth Sciences students with family income $30-$48k in the Southwest Region
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Geological & Earth Sciences students with family income $75-$110k in the Southwest Region
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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