by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, geology and earth sciences was the 125th most popular major nationwide with 6,024 degrees awarded. This 1,012 less than the prior year, a decrease of 16.8%.
This year's Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools ranking compares 181 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geology programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in geology and earth sciences is talking to others to convey information effectively. Required skills include understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
geology and earth sciences degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic geology and earth sciences program qualifications, to serve in some geology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different geology degree levels. Geology & Earth Sciences programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest geology degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common geology degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to geology, with approximately 37.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for geology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 37.4% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 34.8% |
| Doctoral Degree | 14.9% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 7.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.0% |
57.7% of geology workers have at least a master's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in geology and earth sciences have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which geology career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your geology degree? Geology & Earth Sciences careers are expected to grow 11.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geology and earth sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Geoscientists | 36,500 | 14.1% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
| Hydrologists | 7,400 | 10.4% |
As you might expect, salaries for geology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for geology and earth sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers geology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Geoscientists | $107,800 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
| Hydrologists | $82,790 |
With over 960 different geology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased geology school rankings to help you with this.
Geology & Earth Sciences is one of 6 different types of Geological & Earth Sciences programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 767 |
| Chemical & Physical Oceanography | 508 |
| Geophysics & Seismology | 243 |
| Hydrology & Water Resources Science | 221 |
| Geochemistry | 49 |
