Do you have any more specifics other than generally geology? My s is interested in engineering or geology, more likely than not geohydrology or geohydrological engineering so I have been foocused on this topic. Normally, your s will need a minimum of a masters to get work in geology. So what matters is college gpa and gre score - not so much where he goes. Plus money for grad school. Honestly I would stick to WUE state options so you will have money left for grad school and less debt. Wyoming has an excellent geology program. Given your s’s stats it looks like he qualifies for a full wue scholarship at Wyoming. Combined with room and board you are looking at $20,000 all inclusive. Mines and CU do not offer WUE rates so he would pay OOS rates and get little merit aid. Colorado State does WUE but will be more expensive than Wyo. Look at Utah also.