by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Geological & Geophysical Engineering involves the study of Geological/geophysical Engineering. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Mathematical And Geological Principles To The Analysis And Evaluation Of Engineering Problems, Including The Geological Evaluation Of Construction Sites, The Analysis Of Geological Forces Acting On Structures And Systems, The Analysis Of Potential Natural Resource Recovery Sites, And Applied Research On Geological Phenomena. Read on to learn the essential details every geological & geophysical engineering student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geological & geophysical engineering programs.
In the U.S., geological & geophysical engineering is a widely-pursued major, with 313 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geological & Geophysical Engineering Schools ranking analyzes these 18 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geological & geophysical engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geological & geophysical engineering programs later in this article.
Studies in Geological & Geophysical Engineering emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geological & geophysical engineering graduates commonly enter.
Skills built by a geological & geophysical engineering program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a geological & geophysical engineering major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geological & geophysical 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 geological & geophysical 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% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geological & geophysical engineering careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Majoring in geological & geophysical engineering prepares you for many career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to geological & geophysical engineering.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geological & geophysical 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of geological & geophysical engineering graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 geological & geophysical engineering graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geological & geophysical 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 geological & geophysical engineering programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geological & geophysical engineering school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
