Cheapest Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota's geological science programs show a $21,415 gap between the cheapest and most expensive options, with University of Minnesota-Morris leading affordability at $9,110 net cost. The state's mining heritage in the Iron Range creates natural demand for earth science expertise, while modern environmental consulting and groundwater management offer career paths. Graduates from Winona State University earn $43,426 annually, significantly outpacing the $26,933 from Twin Cities despite lower program costs. Public universities dominate the affordable end, with six programs under $19,000, while private colleges like Carleton push net costs above $27,000.

Programs

$9,110 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$35,180

Avg. Program Earnings

69.1%

Avg. Graduation Rate

11 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	University of Minnesota-Morris Morris, Minnesota	$9,110	$14,288	61.9%	77.7%
2	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
3	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
4	Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead, Minnesota	$17,816	$10,336	54.6%	56.6%
5	Winona State University Winona, Minnesota	$18,148	$10,498	60.9%	73.8%
6	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464	$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
7	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
8	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
9	Carleton College Northfield, Minnesota	$27,320	$65,457	91.2%	16.6%
10	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
11	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525	$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Minnesota-Morris the most affordable geological science option?

Morris offers the lowest net cost at $9,110 with reasonable acceptance rates at 77.66%. The campus focuses on undergraduate education with smaller class sizes than larger state universities.

How do earnings compare between Minnesota geological science programs?

Winona State graduates earn $43,426 annually compared to $26,933 from Twin Cities, despite Winona's lower program cost. This $16,493 difference suggests regional job markets and program focus affect post-graduation outcomes significantly.

Is there a big cost difference between public and private geological science programs?

Public programs range from $9,110 to $18,609 while private colleges start at $26,895. The $8,286 gap between the most expensive public program and cheapest private option represents substantial savings.

Where do geological science graduates find work in Minnesota?

Minnesota's mining industry in the Iron Range employs geologists, while environmental consulting firms serve the Twin Cities metro area. The state's abundant water resources also create demand for hydrogeologists and groundwater specialists.

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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.