College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

34 Ranked Colleges
311 Degrees Awarded
$31,134 Avg Salary
Schools for a Bachelor's Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

When it comes to choosing a college, students have a lot of options - but not all of them are good. College Factual was founded, in part, to help students make the decision as to what would be the best school for them. Our “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking is part of that endeavor.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 8,124 degrees awarded in 2021-2022. In , geological & earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in , earned an average of $38,869 and had an average of $22,278 in loans still to pay off.

Across the Plains States region, there were 482 geological & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,405 and $23,979 respectively. At the bachelor’s degree level specifically, there were 311 geological & earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $40,724 and $22,887 respectively.

This year’s “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking looked at 34 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in geological & earth sciences.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

More Ways to Rank Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

Rankings by Degree Other Award Levels
Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Geology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.

In addition to College Factual’s rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. Go ahead and give it a try, or bookmark the link so you can check it out later.

Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region

The colleges and universities below are the best for plains states region bachelor’s degree geology students.

Top 25 Most Focused Bachelor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Plains States Region

1
Carleton crest
Carleton College
Northfield, Minnesota

You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Carleton College. It ranked #1 on our 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Northfield, Minnesota, and it awarded 18 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 95%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Carleton

2

Out of the 34 schools in the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region that were part of this year’s ranking, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology landed the #2 spot on the list. Rapid City, South Dakota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 13 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at SD Mines

3
Macalester crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, Minnesota

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Macalester College. The school came in at #3 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region. Macalester College is a private not-for-profit institution located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The school has a small population, and it awarded 15 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 96%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Macalester

4

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Minnesota - Morris. The school came in at #4 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region. This small school is located in Morris, Minnesota, and it awarded 1 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Minnesota - Morris

5
Cornell College crest
Cornell College
Mount Vernon, Iowa

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Cornell College. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region. Cornell College is a small school located in Mount Vernon, Iowa that handed out 7 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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 Cornell College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

6
Winona State crest
Winona State University
Winona, Minnesota

Winona State University came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Winona State University is located in Winona, Minnesota and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 16 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Winona State University

7

University of Minnesota - Duluth came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Duluth, Minnesota is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.4% 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%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at UMN Duluth

8
Gustavus Adolphus crest
Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter, Minnesota

Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #8 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Saint Peter, Minnesota, and it awarded 9 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full Gustavus Adolphus College Geological & Earth Sciences Report

9

Missouri University of Science and Technology landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Missouri University of Science and Technology is a medium-sized school located in Rolla, Missouri that handed out 15 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology

10

Minnesota State University - Moorhead ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This small school is located in Moorhead, Minnesota, and it awarded 2 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.7% 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%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at MSU Moorhead

11

With a ranking of #11, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Springfield, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 15 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Missouri State

12

Fort Hays State University did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #12. Fort Hays State University is a fairly large school located in Hays, Kansas that handed out 21 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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 FHSU Geological & Earth Sciences Report

13

Northwest Missouri State University ranked #13 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 9 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.6% 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%.

Full Northwest Missouri State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

14

North Dakota State University - Main Campus came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. North Dakota State University is a fairly large school located in Fargo, North Dakota that handed out 2 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full North Dakota State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

15

Emporia State University landed the #15 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. ESU is located in Emporia, Kansas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 4 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

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 Emporia State University Geological & Earth Sciences Report

16

University of Northern Iowa ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Northern Iowa is a medium-sized school located in Cedar Falls, Iowa that handed out 5 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.1%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UNI Geological & Earth Sciences Report

17
St. Cloud State University crest
Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, Minnesota

Saint Cloud State University landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. St. Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 7 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

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%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Saint Cloud State University

18

Minnesota State University - Mankato came in at #18 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Minnesota State Mankato is a public institution located in Mankato, Minnesota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 bachelors’s degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.2% 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 Minnesota State University - Mankato

19

With a ranking of #19, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 7 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full University of St Thomas Minnesota Geological & Earth Sciences Report

20
MSU crest
Minot State University
Minot, North Dakota

Minot State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. MSU is a small school located in Minot, North Dakota that handed out 4 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

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

21

Iowa State University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. Ames, Iowa is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2021-2022.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Iowa State University

22

With a ranking of #22, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota and, has a large student population. In 2021-2022, this school awarded 19 bachelors’s geology degrees to qualified students.

With a freshman retention rate of 92%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. 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%.

Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Geological & Earth Sciences Report

23

University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #23 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 12 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% 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%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Nebraska - Lincoln

24
KU crest
University of Kansas
Lawrence, Kansas

University of Kansas did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region ranking, coming in at #24. University of Kansas is a large school located in Lawrence, Kansas that handed out 10 bachelors’s geology degrees in 2021-2022.

With a freshman retention rate of 85%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at KU

25

With a ranking of #25, University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Bachelor’s Highly Focused on Geology Major in the Plains States Region list. Kansas City, Missouri is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out bachelors’s geology degrees to 2 students in 2021-2022.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Missouri - Kansas City

Switch to a Different Ranking Method

Notes and References

References

Read more about our data sources and methodologies

Footnotes

Credits

Popular Reports

College Rankings
Best by Location
Degree Guides by Major
Graduate Programs

Compare Your School Options