Best Value Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Colleges in Washington

Central Washington University geology graduates earn $41,565 annually while paying just $14,715 net cost, creating the strongest value proposition among Washington's 9 geoscience programs. This advantage matters in a state where Boeing's aerospace engineering demands geological expertise for materials science and where the Cascade Range provides natural laboratories for seismic research. Public universities dominate the affordability market, with net costs ranging from $10,898 to $18,680, while private institutions reach $38,920.

Programs

$10,898 – $38,920

Net Price Range

$34,372

Avg. Program Earnings

66.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

9 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington	$14,715	$41,565	$9,192	49.9%	93.5%
2	University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, Washington	$13,485	$35,891	$12,643	83.7%	47.5%
3	Eastern Washington University Cheney, Washington	$13,091	$34,526	$8,353	47.2%	96.1%
4	Washington State University Pullman, Washington	$14,401	$27,280	$12,997	61.6%	83.1%
5	Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, Washington	$21,370	$36,848	$50,964	71.0%	88.9%
6	Western Washington University Bellingham, Washington	$18,680	$30,119	$9,286	65.5%	92.7%
7	University of Puget Sound Tacoma, Washington	$38,920		$59,900	67.9%	82.7%
8	Whitman College Walla Walla, Washington	$35,506		$61,492	81.0%	47.7%
9	University of Washington-Bothell Campus Bothell, Washington	$10,898		$12,559	68.2%	88.1%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Central Washington University stand out for geology value?

CWU geology graduates earn $41,565 annually, the highest among all programs, while paying only $14,715 net cost. The university accepts 93% of applicants and maintains strong industry connections in a state where geological expertise supports aerospace and energy sectors.

How do public and private geology programs compare in Washington?

Public universities offer net costs between $10,898 and $18,680, while private institutions range from $21,370 to $38,920. University of Washington-Bothell provides the lowest net cost at $10,898, though graduation rates at private schools like Whitman College reach 81% compared to public averages around 60%.

Does the Washington College Grant affect geology program costs?

The Washington College Grant covers full tuition at public colleges for qualifying students, making programs like Eastern Washington University extremely affordable at $8,353 in-state tuition. This benefit significantly reduces the $20,000+ debt loads seen at some universities, particularly helping geology students who often pursue graduate studies.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.