by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Geoenvironmental Engineering involves the study of Geotechnical And Geoenvironmental Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Geotechnical Engineering Methods, Which Deal With The Analysis, Design And Construction Of Earth And Earth Supported Structures, To The Application Of Environmental Problems, Such As Waste Containment, Waste Disposal, Construction Of Land Fills, Soil Permeation, Soil Analysis, And Soil Improvement. Includes Instruction In Soil Mechanics, Soil Dynamics, Soil Behavior, Waste Management And Containment Systems, Geosynthetics, Geochemistry, Earth Structures, Geoenvironmental Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Earthquake Engineering, And Foundation Engineering Examples: [Geotechnical Engineering], [Geoenvironmental Engineering], [Geotechnical And Geoenvironmental Engineering]. Continue reading for the essential details every geoenvironmental engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geoenvironmental engineering programs.
Across the country, geoenvironmental engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 21 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geoenvironmental Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 6 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geoenvironmental engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geoenvironmental engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Geoenvironmental Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geoenvironmental engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a geoenvironmental engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a geoenvironmental engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geoenvironmental engineering degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 21 |
People currently working in careers related to geoenvironmental engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 44.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 20.4% |
| Master’s degree | 11.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 6.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 1.4% |
| First professional degree | 1.3% |
| Some college courses | 1.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.0% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geoenvironmental engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying geoenvironmental engineering opens doors to a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to geoenvironmental engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geoenvironmental engineering.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,297,204 | -2.0% |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | 440,884 | 8.0% |
| Petroleum Engineers | 432,291 | 13.1% |
| Transportation Engineers | 392,941 | 1.1% |
| Water/Wastewater Engineers | 383,114 | 5.6% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of geoenvironmental engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $71,056 |
| 4 years | $78,886 |
| 5 years | $88,976 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geoenvironmental engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geoenvironmental engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $138,303 |
| Petroleum Engineers | $137,336 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Transportation Engineers | $120,210 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
With 6 different geoenvironmental engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geoenvironmental engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in geoenvironmental engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Civil Engineering, General | 19,293 |
| Structural Engineering | 338 |
| Civil Engineering, Other | 173 |
| Transportation and Highway Engineering | 127 |
| Water Resources Engineering | 53 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
