by our College Data Analytics TeamFind out the essential details every earth systems science major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering earth systems science programs.
Across the country, earth systems science is a popular field of study, with 43 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Earth Systems Science Schools ranking analyzes these 5 schools to determine the best overall colleges for earth systems science students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of earth systems science programs later in this article.
Studies in Earth Systems Science build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations earth systems science graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a earth systems science program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a earth systems science major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several earth systems science 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 27 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 8 |
People currently working in careers related to earth systems science tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.9% |
| Master’s degree | 22.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in earth systems science careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in earth systems science can lead to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to earth systems science.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to earth systems science.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Hydrologists | 58,938 | 8.2% |
| Geographers | 41,950 | 10.6% |
Salaries for earth systems science graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers earth systems science grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Hydrologists | $96,513 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Geographers | $77,391 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
With 5 different earth systems science programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased earth systems science school rankings to help you.
Those considering earth systems science, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Earth Systems Science | 43 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 30,141 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 28,033 |
| Data Analytics | 12,891 |
| MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES | 10,355 |
| Data Science | 7,716 |
| International/Globalization Studies | 5,740 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 5,456 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 5,391 |
| Sustainability Studies | 4,374 |
| Cognitive Science | 3,121 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
