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2025 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

152 Colleges in the United States
8,124 Geology Degrees Awarded
$43,196 Avg Early-Career Salary
A degree in geological & earth sciences is more popular than many other degrees. In fact, it ranks #95 out of 395 on popularity of all such degrees in the nation. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

For its 2025 ranking, College Factual looked at 152 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geological & earth sciences students pursuing a degree. Combined, these schools handed out 8,124 degrees in geological & earth sciences to qualified students.

What's on this page: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Geological & Earth Sciences School

Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools Your choice of geological & earth sciences school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. For our Best Overall Geological & Earth Sciences School rankings, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Pick Your Geological & Earth Sciences Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Geology
Bachelor's Degrees in Geology
Master's Degrees in Geology
Doctor's Degrees in Geology

Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we've developed the Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision. If you'd like to restrict your choices to just one part of the country, you can filter this list by location.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

If you want to learn more about how we derive our rankings, see College Factual's Methodology.

Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the United States

The schools below may not offer all types of geology degrees so you may want to filter by degree level first. However, they are great for the degree levels they do offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 20% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Geology

1
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In MA
35 Geology Degrees Awarded

Every student who is interested in geological & earth sciences has to look into Massachusetts Institute of Technology. MIT is a fairly large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Cambridge. A Best Colleges rank of #1 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means MIT is a great school overall.

There were approximately 35 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at MIT in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Massachusetts Institute of Technology

2
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In CA
32 Geology Degrees Awarded

University of California - Berkeley is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in geological & earth sciences. Located in the midsize city of Berkeley, UC Berkeley is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #14 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UC Berkeley is a great university overall.

There were roughly 32 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Berkeley in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Berkeley

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Geosciences Program Name

Gain the analytical, technical and science communications skills you need to begin your career with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Geosciences from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

3
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, PA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In PA

Lehigh University is a wonderful option for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences. Lehigh is a medium-sized private not-for-profit university located in the city of Bethlehem. This university ranks 4th out of 103 schools for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were about 15 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Lehigh in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Lehigh University

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
138 Geology Degrees Awarded
$50,682 Median Starting Salary

Texas A&M University - College Station is one of the best schools in the United States for getting a degree in geological & earth sciences. Texas A&M College Station is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of College Station. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Texas A&M College Station is a great university overall.

There were approximately 138 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences degree recipients from Texas A&M University - College Station get an earnings boost of about $7,485 above the average earnings of geological & earth sciences graduates.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Texas A&M University - College Station

5
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
129 Geology Degrees Awarded
1.6% Growth in Graduates

UW Seattle is a fairly large public university located in the city of Seattle. A Best Colleges rank of #44 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were approximately 129 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the geology program make an average of $29,724 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
91 Geology Degrees Awarded
17.6% Growth in Graduates

Pitt is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Pittsburgh. This university ranks 6th out of 103 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.

There were approximately 91 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Pitt in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the geology program report average early career wages of $38,652.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

7
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Geology Degrees Awarded
$43,068 Median Starting Salary

UW - Madison is a very large public university located in the large city of Madison. A Best Colleges rank of #40 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 49 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the geology program make an average of $43,068 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Wisconsin - Madison

Sponsored
Bachelors Degree Type
BS in Geosciences - Natural Resources Conservation Program Name

Learn to manage and conserve our natural resources with this specialized online bachelor's from Southern New Hampshire University.

More information about a degree in BS in Geosciences - Natural Resources Conservation from Southern New Hampshire University

Related Programs

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
59 Geology Degrees Awarded
10.2% Growth in Graduates

UCSB is a fairly large public university located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. This university ranks 7th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 59 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the geology program make around $30,759 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Santa Barbara

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
80 Geology Degrees Awarded
22.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Ann Arbor, U-M is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #22 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means U-M is a great university overall.

There were roughly 80 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at U-M in the most recent data year. Those geological & earth sciences students who get their degree from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor receive $2,778 more than the average geology student.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
93 Geology Degrees Awarded
22.6% Growth in Graduates

University of Arizona is a very large public university located in the city of Tucson. This university ranks 3rd out of 26 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.

There were about 93 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Arizona in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the geology program report average early career income of $39,886.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Arizona

11
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
56 Geology Degrees Awarded
$34,658 Median Starting Salary

Columbia is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of New York. A Best Colleges rank of #15 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Columbia is a great university overall.

There were roughly 56 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Columbia in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the geology program make an average of $34,658 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Columbia University in the City of New York

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
79 Geology Degrees Awarded
31.6% Growth in Graduates

UT Austin is a very large public university located in the city of Austin. A Best Colleges rank of #46 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were about 79 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the geology program make around $42,062 for their early career.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from The University of Texas at Austin

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Geology Degrees Awarded
13.8% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of La Jolla, UCSD is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 8th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 87 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCSD in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the geological & earth sciences major at University of California - San Diego get $36,449 above the typical graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - San Diego

14
Boston U crest
Boston University
Boston, MA
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
14th Most Popular In MA
40.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the large city of Boston, Boston U is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means Boston U is a great university overall.

There were approximately 5 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston U in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Boston University

15
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
9th Most Popular In CA
47 Geology Degrees Awarded

UCLA is a very large public university located in the city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #28 out of 2,152 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 47 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Los Angeles

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
31 Geology Degrees Awarded
$43,462 Median Starting Salary

UC Davis is a fairly large public university located in the small suburb of Davis. This university ranks 10th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 31 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent data year. Students who receive their degree from the geology program earn an average of $43,462 in the first couple years of working.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Davis

17
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Geology Degrees Awarded
16.7% Growth in Graduates

UMN Twin Cities is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Minneapolis. A Best Colleges rank of #45 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means UMN Twin Cities is a great university overall.

There were about 48 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the geology program state that they receive average early career income of $44,825.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

18
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
62 Geology Degrees Awarded
$38,804 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Irvine, UC Irvine is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 12th out of 161 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were roughly 62 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Irvine in the most recent data year. Graduates who receive their degree from the geology program earn about $38,804 for their early career.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Irvine

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
53 Geology Degrees Awarded
$43,362 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Santa Cruz, UC Santa Cruz is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 161 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 53 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UC Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. After graduating, geology degree recipients typically earn about $43,362 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Santa Cruz

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
36 Geology Degrees Awarded
$86,497 Median Starting Salary

University of Oklahoma is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized suburb of Norman. This university ranks 1st out of 31 colleges for overall quality in the state of Oklahoma.

There were roughly 36 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University of Oklahoma in the most recent year we have data available. Geological & Earth Sciences degree recipients from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus get an earnings boost of approximately $43,301 over the average earnings of geological & earth sciences majors.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Oklahoma Norman Campus

21
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
51 Geology Degrees Awarded
23.5% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of Salt Lake City, U of U is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were roughly 51 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at U of U in the most recent data year. Those geological & earth sciences students who get their degree from University of Utah receive $6,250 more than the average geology grad.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Utah

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
5th Most Popular In NY

Located in the city of Ithaca, Cornell is a private not-for-profit university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #9 out of 2,152 schools nationwide means Cornell is a great university overall.

There were about 19 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Cornell in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Cornell University

23
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Geology Degrees Awarded
41.7% Growth in Graduates

Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 91 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were approximately 48 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, geology degree recipients typically make about $41,156 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Ohio State University - Main Campus

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
48 Geology Degrees Awarded
6.3% Growth in Graduates

Located in the town of Laramie, UW is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 7 colleges for overall quality in the state of Wyoming.

There were about 48 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UW in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the geological & earth sciences program at University of Wyoming get $2,562 more than the average college grad with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of Wyoming

25
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In NH

Located in the fringe town of Durham, UNH is a public university with a large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 17 colleges for overall quality in the state of New Hampshire.

There were approximately 24 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at UNH in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University of New Hampshire - Main Campus

Rest of the Top Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

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Honorable Mentions

These are some additional schools worth mentioning that are also great but just didn't quite make the cut to earn our top Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools award.

Rank College Location
31 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN
32 Rutgers University - New Brunswick New Brunswick, NJ
33 Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College Baton Rouge, LA
34 Washington State University Pullman, WA
35 Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, IN
36 University of Massachusetts Amherst Amherst, MA
37 University of Nebraska - Lincoln Lincoln, NE
38 Michigan State University East Lansing, MI
39 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
40 University of Iowa Iowa City, IA
41 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Champaign, IL
42 Iowa State University Ames, IA
43 University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV
44 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO
45 California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo, CA
46 Western Washington University Bellingham, WA
47 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
48 Stony Brook University Stony Brook, NY
49 North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC
50 University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC

Geological & Earth Sciences by Region

View the Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Geological & Earth Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.

Geology Concentrations

Major Annual Graduates
Geology & Earth Sciences 6,214
Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences 866
Chemical & Physical Oceanography 537
Geophysics & Seismology 238
Hydrology & Water Resources Science 227
Geochemistry 22
Paleontology 20

View All Geology Concentrations >

Majors Similar to Geology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 20,985
Physics 13,447
General Physical Sciences 3,141
Astronomy & Astrophysics 1,396
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 1,183
Materials Sciences 642
Other Physical Science 500
Physics and Astronomy 55

View All Geology Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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