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2022 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

26 Ranked Colleges
184 Degrees Awarded
$29,800 Avg Grad Tuition & Fees*
Best Value Geology Schools for a Master's in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 84th most popular major in the country with 8,918 degrees awarded in 2019-2020. 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.

For this year’s “Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, we looked at 26 colleges that offer a degree 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. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most 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 for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid

The colleges and universities below are the best for great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid.

Top 25 Best Value Master’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region (With Aid)

#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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Wisconsin - Madison is a large school located in Madison, Wisconsin that handed out 11 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

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 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 UW - Madison are $25,523.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Wisconsin - Madison

#2

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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, Purdue University - Main Campus landed the #2 spot on the list. Purdue is located in West Lafayette, Indiana and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 7 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Purdue, the school also landed the #7 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Purdue University - Main Campus are $28,794, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Purdue University - Main Campus

#6 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It ranked #3 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid list, UIUC has also earned the #6 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 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are $30,083.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UIUC

#4

Indiana University - Bloomington

Bloomington, Indiana
#8 in overall quality

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Indiana University - Bloomington. It ranked #4 on our 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. IU Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 8 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

IU Bloomington also took 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 you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at IU Bloomington

#4 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 Getting Aid that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor landed the #5 spot on the list. U-M 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. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Michigan - Ann Arbor are $49,548, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Full U-M Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#19 in overall quality

Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #6. IUPUI 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.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid list, IUPUI has also earned the #19 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at IUPUI are $26,013, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at IUPUI

With a ranking of #7, University of Illinois at Chicago did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. This large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 1 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at UIC, the school also landed the #0 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UIC are $27,036, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#8

Ball State University

Muncie, Indiana
#15 in overall quality

Ball State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #8. Ball State is a large public school situated in Muncie, Indiana. It awarded 2 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Ball State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #15 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ball State University are $26,204, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Ball State University

#9

Michigan State University

East Lansing, Michigan
#9 in overall quality

Michigan State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #9. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 3 degrees to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

As a testament to the quality of education offered at Michigan State, the school also landed the #9 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 Michigan State are $37,056.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Michigan State University

#14 in overall quality

With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Carbondale did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Southern Illinois University Carbondale 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #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.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Southern Illinois University Carbondale

#5 in overall quality

With a ranking of #11, Ohio State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Ohio State University - Main Campus is a large public school situated in Columbus, Ohio. It awarded 11 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Ohio State are $37,141, but some majors have different tuition rates.

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

#12

Indiana State University

Terre Haute, Indiana
#22 in overall quality

Indiana State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Indiana State is a fairly large school located in Terre Haute, Indiana that handed out 8 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid list, Indiana State has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Indiana State are $15,346, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#13

Northwestern University

Evanston, Illinois
#1 in overall quality

Northwestern University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #13. Northwestern is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Northwestern not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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

#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 Getting Aid ranking. Northern Illinois University is located in Dekalb, Illinois and, has a fairly large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 9 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

NIU also took the #20 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 Northern Illinois University are $11,086.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at NIU

#15

Illinois State University

Normal, Illinois
#11 in overall quality

Illinois State University came in at #15 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. Located in Normal, Illinois, this large public school awarded 11 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Illinois State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #11 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at Illinois State are $11,069, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

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

#16

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
#21 in overall quality

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee came in at #16 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large school located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that handed out 6 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

UWM not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. 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 University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee

#17

Wayne State University

Detroit, Michigan
#23 in overall quality

Wayne State University did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #17. Wayne State is a large public school situated in Detroit, Michigan. It awarded 4 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

Wayne State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #23 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 Wayne State University are $37,215.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wayne State University

#18

Western Michigan University

Kalamazoo, Michigan

Western Michigan University came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. This fairly large school is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and it awarded 13 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

WMU also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Western Michigan University are $31,355.

Full Western Michigan University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

With a ranking of #19, Wright State University - Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Wright State University - Main Campus is a fairly large school located in Dayton, Ohio that handed out 5 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid list, Wright State University - Main Campus has also earned the #24 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 Wright State University - Main Campus are $24,286.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Wright State University - Main Campus

#17 in overall quality

Kent State University at Kent did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #20. This large school is located in Kent, Ohio, and 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. Although you might pay more or less depending on your area of study, average graduate tuition and fees at Kent State University at Kent are $21,952.

Full Kent State Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#12 in overall quality

Miami University - Oxford ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Oxford, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

Miami University - Oxford also took the #12 spot in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at Miami University - Oxford are $31,697, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Miami University - Oxford

#16 in overall quality

University of Cincinnati - Main Campus did quite well in the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking, coming in at #22. University of Cincinnati - Main Campus is a large school located in Cincinnati, Ohio that handed out 3 masters’s geology degrees in 2019-2020.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid list, UC has also earned the #16 rank in our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. Average graduate tuition and fees at UC are $26,644, but some majors have different tuition rates.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UC

With a ranking of #23, University of Akron Main Campus did quite well on the 2022 Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid list. Located in Akron, Ohio, this fairly large public school awarded 2 diplomas to qualified masters’s geology students in 2019-2020.

University of Akron Main Campus not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #25 on our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Akron Main Campus are $15,217, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Full University of Akron Main Campus Geological & Earth Sciences Report

#18 in overall quality

Ohio University - Athens Campus came in at #24 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. OHIO Athens is located in Athens, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2019-2020, this school awarded 8 masters’s geology degrees to qualified students.

In addition to being on our great lakes region master’s degree geology students with aid 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 University - Athens Campus are $17,712.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Ohio University - Athens Campus

#25

University of Chicago

Chicago, Illinois
#2 in overall quality

University of Chicago came in at #25 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geology Schools for a Master’s in the Great Lakes Region For Those Getting Aid ranking. UChicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 2 masters’s degrees in 2019-2020.

UChicago also made our “Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #2. Average graduate tuition and fees at University of Chicago are $61,548, but you may pay more or less depending on your major.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UChicago

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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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