2023 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
31
Ranked Colleges
1,632
Degrees Awarded
$13,100
Avg Net Price*
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 in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is part of that endeavor.
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 Far Western US region, there were 1,632 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $37,732 and $20,537 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking looked at 31 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s 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.
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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid” list to help you make the college 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 Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid
The colleges and universities below are the best for far western us region geology students with aid.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Far Western US Region (With Aid)
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Stanford University. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. Stanford, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geology degrees to 100 students in 2020-2021.
Stanford also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #1. It costs about $12,894 for far western us region geology students with aid per year to attend Stanford.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Stanford University Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Washington - Seattle Campus. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. UW Seattle is a large school located in Seattle, Washington that handed out 127 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW Seattle, the school also landed the #3 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $12,017 for far western us region geology students with aid per year to attend UW Seattle.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 93%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.1%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UW Seattle
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend California State University - Los Angeles. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid. Located in Los Angeles, California, this large public school handed out 19 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $3,302 for far western us region geology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Los Angeles.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Los Angeles
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend California State University - Long Beach. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. CSULB is a large public school situated in Long Beach, California. It awarded 18 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
CSULB also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #16. The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Long Beach is $10,054 for far western us region geology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full CSULB Geological & Earth Sciences Report
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of California - San Diego. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. UCSD is a large public school situated in La Jolla, California. It awarded 75 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region geology students with aid list, UCSD has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. It costs about $15,240 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid per year to attend UCSD.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UCSD
University of California - Santa Barbara came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCSB is located in Santa Barbara, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 53 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
UCSB not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $16,252 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Santa Barbara.
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 1.8% 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 University of California - Santa Barbara Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #7, University of California - Berkeley did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Berkeley is a public institution located in Berkeley, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 49 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Berkeley not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $16,032 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Berkeley.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.8%, 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 96%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Berkeley
California State University - Fullerton ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Fullerton, California, this large public school awarded 26 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
Cal State Fullerton also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Fullerton is $8,003 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Fullerton
University of California - Los Angeles came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UCLA is a large public school situated in Los Angeles, California. It awarded 31 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UCLA did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. It costs about $15,023 for far western us region geology students with aid per year to attend University of California - Los Angeles.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.6%, 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 96%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UCLA
University of California - Davis came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of California - Davis is a large school located in Davis, California that handed out 43 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
UC Davis also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #8. The estimated yearly cost for UC Davis is $15,768 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, 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 93%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Davis
University of California - Irvine did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #11. Irvine, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 70 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Irvine, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of California - Irvine is $12,209 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Irvine
With a ranking of #12, California State Polytechnic University - Pomona did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Pomona, California is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 28 students in 2020-2021.
Cal Poly Pomona did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Cal Poly Pomona is $14,304 for far western us region geology students with aid.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at California State Polytechnic University - Pomona
University of Nevada - Las Vegas landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, this large public school handed out 34 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UNLV also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UNLV is $10,993 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.9% 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%.
Full UNLV Geological & Earth Sciences Report
University of California - Riverside ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. University of California - Riverside is a large public school situated in Riverside, California. It awarded 30 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our far western us region geology students with aid list, UCR has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UCR is $11,822 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.3% 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 University of California - Riverside Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Sacramento came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. California State University - Sacramento is located in Sacramento, California and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s geology degrees to qualified students.
Sac State also took the #24 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend California State University - Sacramento is $11,178 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California State University - Sacramento
University of Nevada - Reno ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Reno, Nevada, this large public school awarded 33 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
UNR not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Nevada - Reno is $14,930 for far western us region geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UNR Geological & Earth Sciences Report
San Diego State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in San Diego, California, this large public school handed out 29 degrees to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
SDSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #20 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for San Diego State University is $13,845 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 89%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at SDSU
With a ranking of #18, University of California - Santa Cruz did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Santa Cruz, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 65 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UC Santa Cruz, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UC Santa Cruz is $17,930 for far western us region geology students with aid.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.9%, 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 85%.
Full University of California - Santa Cruz Geological & Earth Sciences Report
California State University - Stanislaus came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Turlock, California is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geology degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for California State University - Stanislaus is $6,566 for far western us region geology students with aid.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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 California State University - Stanislaus
California State University - Northridge landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This large school is located in Northridge, California, and it awarded 16 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,523 for far western us region geology students with aid per year to attend California State University - Northridge.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full CSUN Geological & Earth Sciences Report
With a ranking of #21, Portland State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Portland State University is a large public school situated in Portland, Oregon. It awarded 28 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Portland State University is $12,498 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Portland State University
Oregon State University ranked #22 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid list. Oregon State University is a large public school situated in Corvallis, Oregon. It awarded 74 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Oregon State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Oregon State is $21,508 for far western us region geology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. 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 Oregon State
Western Washington University came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Bellingham, Washington, this fairly large public school handed out 55 diplomas to qualified ’s geology students in 2020-2021.
WWU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WWU is $17,070 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
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 full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Western Washington University
Washington State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #24. Wazzu is a large school located in Pullman, Washington that handed out 130 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
Wazzu also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Wazzu is $15,300 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.3% 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 Washington State University
University of California - Merced came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools in the Far Western US Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Merced, California, and it awarded 13 ’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $13,691 for Far Western US Region Geology students with aid per year to attend UC Merced.
With a freshman retention rate of 86%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.
Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UC Merced
