by our College Data Analytics TeamThe earth is magnificent place that holds so much history, and yet is constantly changing. If you would like to study the earth, from renewable energy sources to minerals and rock structures, a major in Geological and Earth Sciences may be for you.
Students who major in Geological and Earth Sciences take classes in biology, mineralogy, geochemistry, physical geology, and petrology in order to learn everything about the earth. They will study minerals, rocks, soil chemistry, and natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes. This major informs students about the earth's past, present and future.
Possible concentrations in this field include general Geology and Earth Science, Geochemistry, Geophysics and Seismology, Paleontology, Hydrology and Water Resources Science, Geochemistry and Petrology, Chemical and Physical Oceanography.
A major in Geological & Earth Sciences involves the study of Geological And Earth Sciences/geosciences. Continue reading for the key facts every geological & earth sciences student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geological & earth sciences programs.
Nationwide, geological & earth sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 7,622 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 483 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geological & earth sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geological & earth sciences programs later in this article.
Coursework for Geological & Earth Sciences develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geological & earth sciences graduates commonly enter.
This major involves lot of science classes. Students will be expected to understand the chemical make-up of certain compositions, be able to perform experiments, and analyze data. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills will help you work on complex problems and draw conclusions from observations and data. Writing and communication skills are also important because scientists must be able to explain their findings to other people who do not have a background in Geological and Earth Sciences.
A degree in Geological and Earth Sciences typically leads to a full time career as a scientist. While you will spend time in offices and laboratories, you will also be expected to conduct fieldwork. This means traveling and putting in long and irregular hours for certain projects.
Previous experience is important in this field and employers often look for students who have gained both field and lab experience while working towards their degree. You can gain this experience through internships or summer field camp programs. These allow students to get hands-on experience conducting experiments, analyzing data, and incorporating classroom knowledge into a real world setting under the advisement of a professor.
Depending on where you decide to work, you may need to earn certification first. It is best to check state laws to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements, as these can vary.
The skill set built by a geological & earth sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a geological & earth sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geological & earth sciences 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 17 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 142 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 4,802 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,879 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 782 |
People currently working in careers related to geological & earth sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.2% |
| Master’s degree | 28.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geological & earth sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Geological and Earth Science graduates work in a variety of fields. Some have gone into the oil and gas industry, engineering firms, mining companies, environmental firms, and government agencies. Those with advanced degrees also perform independent research. Since many industries rely on the earth or interact with it in some way, Geological and Earth Science graduates have many career options.
Studying geological & earth sciences opens doors to many career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to geological & earth sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geological & earth sciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Hydrologic Technicians | 139,812 | 4.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Hydrologists | 58,938 | 8.2% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of geological & earth sciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,682 |
| 4 years | $54,219 |
| 5 years | $61,701 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geological & earth sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geological & earth sciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $119,992 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Hydrologists | $96,513 |
| Hydrologic Technicians | $92,011 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
With 483 different geological & earth sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geological & earth sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in geological & earth sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,715 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 863 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 569 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 220 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 197 |
| Geochemistry | 33 |
| Paleontology | 25 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,434 |
| Physics | 12,910 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,661 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,580 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,341 |
| Materials Sciences | 650 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 422 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 39 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
