by our College Data Analytics TeamGeophysics & Seismology was the 757th most popular major in the 2020-2021 school year. Colleges in the United States reported awarding 243 degrees in this year alone. This 8 less than the prior year, a decrease of 3.3%.
Our 2023 Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools ranking analyzes 22 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for geophysics and seismology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geophysics programs later in this article.
Geophysics & Seismology majors are found most commonly in careers in which talking to others to convey information effectively is important. 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.
geophysics and seismology 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 geophysics and seismology program qualifications, to serve in some geophysics careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
Geophysics degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in geophysics and seismology to something that takes less time like a . Different geophysics and seismology degrees vary in how long they take.
| 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 geophysics, with approximately 30.8% of workers getting one. Find out other typical degree levels for geophysics workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 31.9% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 26.5% |
| Doctoral Degree | 23.6% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 10.1% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.6% |
About 63.6% of workers in careers related to geophysics obtain at least master's degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in geophysics and seismology have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the geophysics career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your geophysics degree? Geophysics & Seismology careers are expected to grow 11.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geophysics and seismology.
| 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% |
As you might expect, salaries for geophysics graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for geophysics and seismology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers geophysics 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 |
With over 90 different geophysics 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 geophysics school rankings to help you with this.
One of 6 majors within the Geological & Earth Sciences area of study, Geophysics & Seismology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology & Earth Sciences | 6,024 |
| Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 767 |
| Chemical & Physical Oceanography | 508 |
| Hydrology & Water Resources Science | 221 |
| Geochemistry | 49 |
