by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you are interested in developing buildings that can withstand hurricane force winds or build tunnels that go miles through the sides of mountains, Geoscience Engineering is for you.
Those who have a degree in Geoscience Engineering collaborate with builders on major construction projects, help develop environmental clean-up plans, and play a role in reducing the damage caused by natural hazards. To gain these skills, students take classes that cover topics such as physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, geology, and computer science.
A degree in Geoscience Engineering explores Geological/geophysical Engineering. Read on to learn the essential details every geoscience engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geoscience engineering programs.
Across the country, geoscience engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 313 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geoscience Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geoscience engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geoscience engineering programs later in this article.
Coursework for Geoscience Engineering build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geoscience engineering graduates commonly enter.
Geoscience Engineering majors spend much of their time developing ways to improve the way people use land and natural resources. They may determine where to put in a dam or tunnel, the best way to harvest natural resources, or how to build buildings that can withstand earthquakes; this makes problem solving and ingenuity required skills. Students should also have strong critical thinking and analysis, and be able to work well in a team. Successful students often have a background in mathematics and physical sciences.
Geoscience Engineering Professionals often work full time in an office environment. While they may travel to site for observation, most professionals use computers and information software to analyze data and complete projects.
This career is very experience and field oriented. Student should pursue internships or summer jobs within the field while working towards their degree. Some colleges will offer summer field study programs where students can travel to different parts of the country to gain relevant experience.
Skills emphasized by a geoscience engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a geoscience engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geoscience 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 120 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 180 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 12 |
People currently working in careers related to geoscience engineering tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 32.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 28.6% |
| Master’s degree | 11.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.5% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 7.0% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 4.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.7% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.0% |
| Some college courses | 1.6% |
| First professional degree | 1.4% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 0.6% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geoscience engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Geoscience Engineering graduates work at a variety of locations, often within the construction or architecture fields. Since graduates are knowledgeable about many aspects of the environment and how they interact with human engineering, there are many career options available.
Majoring in geoscience engineering opens doors to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to geoscience engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geoscience 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% |
| Nanosystems Engineers | 358,781 | -2.9% |
| Wind Energy Engineers | 353,305 | 12.7% |
| Engineers, All Other | 292,948 | -4.3% |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | 266,797 | 14.5% |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 259,417 | 6.2% |
| Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar | 227,778 | 6.7% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of geoscience engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Wages typically rise as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $70,515 |
| 4 years | $81,095 |
| 5 years | $90,120 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geoscience engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geoscience engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $138,303 |
| Engineers, All Other | $136,628 |
| Solar Energy Systems Engineers | $116,775 |
| Mechatronics Engineers | $115,569 |
| Microsystems Engineers | $104,558 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $101,277 |
| Wind Energy Engineers | $98,460 |
| Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers | $89,263 |
With 18 different geoscience engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geoscience engineering school rankings to help you.
Students interested in geoscience engineering, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geological/Geophysical Engineering | 313 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 42,939 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 26,760 |
| Civil Engineering | 20,005 |
| Computer Engineering | 19,986 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 13,914 |
| Engineering, General | 13,411 |
| Chemical Engineering | 10,939 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 9,596 |
| Industrial Engineering | 8,533 |
| Systems Engineering | 3,956 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
