2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
30
Ranked Colleges
818
Degrees Awarded
When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking - to help you make that decision.
Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 7,821 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. 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 Great Lakes region, there were 818 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $35,990 and $23,096 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, we looked at 30 colleges that offer 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.
Some of the factors we look at when determining these rankings are overall quality of the geological and earth sciences program at the school and the cost of the school after aid is awarded among other things. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Northwestern University. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 21 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for great lakes region geology 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 low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UChicago is a fairly large private not-for-profit school situated in Chicago, Illinois. It awarded 17 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,375 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Chicago.
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. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UChicago
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #3 spot on the list. U-M is a public institution located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The school has a large population, and it awarded 62 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at U-M, the school also landed the #4 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is $10,481 for Great Lakes Region Geology 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 1.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 50 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $10,364 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default 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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison
Out of the 30 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #5 spot on the list. Purdue is a public institution located in West Lafayette, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 34 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Purdue also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $8,450 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Purdue.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Purdue
With a ranking of #6, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Champaign, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIUC has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $11,505 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UIUC
Indiana University - Bloomington came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $12,369 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at IU Bloomington
Beloit College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #8. Beloit is a small private not-for-profit school situated in Beloit, Wisconsin. It awarded 7 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Beloit not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Beloit is $10,850 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 90%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Beloit
Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #9. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 28 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Ohio State has also earned the #7 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State University - Main Campus is $13,273 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Ohio State
University of Illinois at Chicago ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Illinois at Chicago is located in Chicago, Illinois and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 23 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UIC has also earned the #12 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Illinois at Chicago is $14,105 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UIC
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UW - River Falls is a medium-sized school located in River Falls, Wisconsin that handed out 8 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UW - River Falls is $14,528 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
With a ranking of #12, Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 11 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend IUPUI is $13,306 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at IUPUI
Ball State University ranked #13 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Muncie, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.
Ball State also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ball State University is $15,158 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% 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 Geological & Earth Sciences at Ball State
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - Eau Claire has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UW - Eau Claire is $14,737 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UW - Eau Claire
Michigan State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school handed out 34 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Michigan State also took the #6 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,557 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Michigan State.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 91%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Michigan State University
Grand Valley State University came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Allendale, Michigan, and it awarded 12 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $15,277 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% 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%.
Full GVSU Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Wayne State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wayne State is a large school located in Detroit, Michigan that handed out 15 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Wayne State University is $13,612 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Wayne State
With a ranking of #18, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 38 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
WMU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. The estimated yearly cost for Western Michigan University is $20,840 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Michigan University
Wright State University - Main Campus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 37 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Wright State University - Main Campus also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $16,871 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Wright State University - Main Campus.
Full Wright State University - Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report
Bowling Green State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #20. Located in Bowling Green, Ohio, this fairly large public school handed out 9 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
BGSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #18 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for BGSU is $18,606 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Bowling Green State University - Main Campus
Illinois State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school handed out 19 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #16 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State is $19,293 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 Illinois State University
Indiana State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana State University is located in Terre Haute, Indiana and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana State is $15,588 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Indiana State Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Cincinnati, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 22 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is $20,867 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UC Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #24, Eastern Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ypsilanti, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $14,547 for great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Eastern Michigan University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #25, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Miami University - Oxford is a fairly large public school situated in Oxford, Ohio. It awarded 35 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #9 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $23,513 for Great Lakes Region Geology students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, 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 88%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Miami University - Oxford
