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

26 Ranked Colleges
184 Degrees Awarded
$31,100 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. College Factual has developed its “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking as one item you can use to help make this decision.

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 Great Lakes region, there were 1,042 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,733 and $23,415 respectively. At the master’s degree level specifically, there were 184 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $57,039 and $42,488 respectively.

This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking looked at 26 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geological and earth sciences. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geological and earth sciences programs that also have a lower cost than 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. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.

One Size Does Not Fit All

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 Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.

Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k

The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region

#1

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k. Located in Evanston, Illinois, this large private not-for-profit school awarded 6 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Northwestern also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northwestern are $56,567, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Northwestern

#2

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #2 spot on the list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#3 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. Madison, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

UW - Madison also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. Average graduate tuition and fees at UW - Madison are $25,523, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Wisconsin - Madison Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#4 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Michigan - Ann Arbor. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a large school located in Ann Arbor, Michigan that handed out 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

U-M also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at U-M are $49,548.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at U-M

#5

Purdue University - Main Campus

West Lafayette, Indiana
#7 in overall quality

Out of the 26 schools in the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s 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 University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in West Lafayette, Indiana. It awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Purdue not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue are $28,794, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Purdue

#6 in overall quality

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 3 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UIUC

#5 in overall quality

Ohio State University - Main Campus landed the #7 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ohio State is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Ohio State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State University - Main Campus are $37,141, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Ohio State University - Main Campus

#8

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

Indiana University - Bloomington landed the #8 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Bloomington, Indiana is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Bloomington are $33,338, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana University - Bloomington

#14 in overall quality

Southern Illinois University Carbondale came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SIUC is located in Carbondale, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

SIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale are $32,928, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Southern Illinois University Carbondale Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is located in Indianapolis, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at IUPUI, the school also landed the #19 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis are $26,013, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at IUPUI

University of Illinois at Chicago came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Illinois at Chicago is a large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 1 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UIC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #0 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036.

Full University of Illinois at Chicago Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

Ball State University ranked #12 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Ball State is located in Muncie, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Ball State also took the #15 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Ball State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #13. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 11 students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #11. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State University are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Illinois State

#14

Northern Illinois University

Dekalb, Illinois

Northern Illinois University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. NIU is a fairly large school located in Dekalb, Illinois that handed out 9 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, NIU has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Northern Illinois University are $11,086, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Northern Illinois University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#15

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

With a ranking of #15, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Terre Haute, Indiana, this fairly large public school handed out 8 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Indiana State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #22 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State University are $15,346.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Indiana State University

#16

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

Wayne State University landed the #16 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Wayne State University is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wayne State University are $37,215, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Wayne State University

#17

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University landed the #17 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Michigan State University is a large public school situated in East Lansing, Michigan. It awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Michigan State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #9. Average graduate tuition and fees at Michigan State are $37,056, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full Michigan State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#13 in overall quality

With a ranking of #18, Case Western Reserve University did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Case Western Reserve University is a fairly large school located in Cleveland, Ohio that handed out 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Case Western also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Case Western Reserve University are $47,958.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Case Western

#19

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

With a ranking of #19, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Milwaukee, Wisconsin is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 6 students in 2019-2020.

UWM also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. Average graduate tuition and fees at UWM are $25,295, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UWM

#17 in overall quality

With a ranking of #20, Kent State University at Kent did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Kent State University at Kent is a large public school situated in Kent, Ohio. It awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Kent State also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #17. Average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State are $21,952, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Kent State

Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #21. This fairly large school is located in Dayton, Ohio, and it awarded 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wright State University - Main Campus also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus

#22

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University landed the #22 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 13 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

WMU also took the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full Western Michigan University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus landed the #23 spot on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s 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 masters’s geology degrees to 3 students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC, the school also landed the #16 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at University of Cincinnati - Main Campus are $26,644.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC

#12 in overall quality

With a ranking of #24, Miami University - Oxford did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Oxford, Ohio, and it awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Miami University - Oxford

#18 in overall quality

With a ranking of #25, Ohio University - Athens Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Athens, Ohio is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out masters’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students whose families make $48-$75k list, OHIO Athens has also earned the #18 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at OHIO Athens are $17,712.

Full Ohio University - Athens Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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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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