Cheapest Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Colleges in Washington

University of Washington-Bothell offers Washington's most affordable geological sciences program at just $10,898 net cost, while private schools like University of Puget Sound reach $38,920. The state's volcanic activity and earthquake monitoring through the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network creates steady demand for earth science professionals. Central Washington University graduates earn the highest starting salaries at $41,565, significantly above the state average. Public universities dominate the affordability rankings, with five of the six cheapest options charging under $15,000 annually.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the large gap between public and private geological sciences programs in Washington?

Public universities range from $10,898 to $18,680 in net costs, while private schools start at $21,370 and reach $38,920. The Washington College Grant helps cover tuition at public institutions for qualifying students, making schools like UW-Bothell and Eastern Washington University particularly affordable options.

How do graduation rates compare across different price points for earth science programs?

Higher-cost programs generally show better graduation rates, with University of Washington-Seattle at 83.7% and Whitman College at 81%. However, affordable options like UW-Bothell still achieve a solid 68.2% graduation rate despite charging only $10,898 annually.

Where do geological sciences graduates find the best earning potential in Washington?

Central Washington University graduates earn $41,565 starting salaries, the highest among reporting schools, despite the program's moderate $14,715 cost. This compares favorably to Washington State University graduates who earn $27,280, showing that program cost doesn't always predict earning outcomes.

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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.