collageApproximately 9,418 geological and earth sciences degrees were awarded to students last year in the United States. With so many options it can be a challenge finding the best choice. This year’s Best Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences ranking analyzed 56 colleges and universities that offer a bachelor’s degree in geological and earth sciences. We look at over 20 factors to determine the top 15% of colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences students.
Choosing a Great Geological & Earth Sciences School
Your choice of geological and earth sciences school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list a school must excel in the following areas.
Overall Quality is a Must
A school that excels in educating for a particular major must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.
Over 80% of the schools in this list are in the top 16% of our overall quality ranking while the lowest ranked school on the list is still in the top 21%.Overall Best Colleges Rank ( 221 to 1 )Lowest Ranked OverallTop Ranked Overall
Better Early and Mid Career Salaries
Geological & Earth Sciences graduates from colleges on this list tend to earn more after college than those from other schools. While the average geological and earth sciences bachelors degree from U.S. colleges results in an average starting salary of $33,786, graduates of colleges on this list average $41,662.Starting Salary ( 36024 to 47475 )$0$52,100
Other Factors We Consider
In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:
- Major Focus – How much a school focuses on Geological & Earth Sciences students vs. other majors.
- Major Popularity – How many other geological and earth sciences students choose this school.
- Accreditation – Whether a school is regionally accredited and/or a recognized geological and earth sciences related accrediting body.
Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best schools for Geological & Earth Sciences students.
Best Schools to Study Geological & Earth Sciences in the United States
Below you’ll see a list of the best colleges and universities to study geological and earth sciences.
Top 10 Best Geology Colleges
#1
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TXDoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE3rdMOST POPULAR IN TX$44,400MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
The University of Texas at Austin is among your top options if you’re planning on studying geological and earth sciences. Located in the large city Austin, UT Austin is a public school with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 91 out of 1,715 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great school overall.
The University of Texas at Austin is a fairly popular college to study geology in United States exceeding 122 graduations last year. Students from the geological and earth sciences program at The University of Texas at Austin earn $8,372 above the average graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.More…Request Information
#2
University of Wisconsin – Madison
Madison, WIDoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN WI$52,100MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
University of Wisconsin – Madison is a good choice for individuals interested in a Geological & Earth Sciences degree. Located in the city Madison, Wisconsin is a public college with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of 76 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means Wisconsin is a great school overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, Wisconsin also offers 2 different higher degree levels in geological and earth sciences, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates from University of Wisconsin – Madison get a earnings boost of approximately $16,072 above the average income of geological and earth sciences majors.More…Request Information
#3
Pennsylvania State University – University Park
University Park, PADoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN PA$44,400MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Pennsylvania State University – University Park is one of the best schools in the United States for geological and earth sciences. Penn State University Park is a fairly large public school located in the small city of University Park. This college ranks 112th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Pennsylvania.
There are approximately 168 geological and earth sciences undergrads enrolled in this program at Penn State University Park. Pennsylvania State University – University Park geological and earth sciences graduates make $8,372 more than the typical geology student.More…Request Information
#4
Texas A&M University – College Station
College Station, TXDoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN TX$36,400MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
It is difficult to beat Texas A&M University – College Station if you want to pursue geological and earth sciences as a major. Texas A&M is a very large public school located in the medium-sized city of College Station. This school ranks 102nd out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
For those interested in something more advanced, Texas A&M also offers 2 different higher degree levels in geological and earth sciences, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Students who graduate from the geology program earn an average of $36,400 for their early career.More…Request Information
#5
University of Washington – Seattle Campus
Seattle, WADoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN WA$33,200MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
UW Seattle is a very large public school located in the large city of Seattle. A Best Colleges rank of 97 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great school overall.
For those interested in something more advanced, UW Seattle also offers 2 different higher degree levels in geological and earth sciences, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Students who complete this degree report average early career wages of $33,200.More…Request Information
#6
University of Houston
Houston, TXDoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE2ndMOST POPULAR IN TX$41,200MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
U of H is a fairly large public school located in the city of Houston. This school ranks 360th out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.
A preferred major for geological and earth sciences undergraduates, there are roughly 131 students studying this degree at U of H. University of Houston geological and earth sciences majors earn $5,172 more than the average geology student.More…Request Information
#7
University of California – Davis
Davis, CADoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE6thMOST POPULAR IN CA17.6%GROWTH IN GRADUATES
UC Davis is a very large public school located in the suburb of Davis. A Best Colleges rank of 83 out of 1,715 colleges nationwide means UC Davis is a great school overall.
A popular choice for geological and earth sciences undergraduates, there are about 51 individuals enrolled in this program at UC Davis. University of California – Davis geological and earth sciences students receive $3,272 more than the standard geology student.More…Request Information
#8
University of Arizona
Tucson, AZDoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN AZ23.1%GROWTH IN GRADUATES
Arizona is a very large public school located in the large city of Tucson. This school ranks 353rd out of 1,715 colleges for overall quality in the state of Arizona.
There are approximately 107 geological and earth sciences undergraduates enrolled in this program at Arizona. Graduates from the geological and earth sciences major at University of Arizona earn $6,272 more than the standard graduate in this field shortly after graduation.More…Request Information
#9
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LADoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN LA$38,100MEDIAN STARTING SALARY
Located in the midsize city Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 294th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Louisiana.
For those interested in something more advanced, Louisiana State University also offers 2 different higher degree levels in geological and earth sciences, the most popular of which is a Master’s Degree. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College geological and earth sciences students receive $2,072 more than the average geology student.More…Request Information
#10
University of Colorado Boulder
Boulder, CODoctor’s DegreeHIGHEST DEGREE TYPE1stMOST POPULAR IN CO23.9%GROWTH IN GRADUATES
CU – Boulder is a fairly large public school located in the city of Boulder. This college ranks 227th out of 1,715 schools for overall quality in the state of Colorado.
For those interested in something more advanced, CU – Boulder also offers 2 different higher degree levels in geological and earth sciences, the most popular of which is a Doctor’s Degree (Research / Scholarship). Soon after graduation, geology students typically make around $35,300 at the beginning of their careers.
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