by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences covers Geological And Earth Sciences/geosciences, Other. Any Instructional Program In Geological And Related Sciences Not Listed Above. Examples: [Geodetics], [Geodesy]. Read on to learn the important information every other geological & earth sciences/geosciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering other geological & earth sciences/geosciences programs.
In the U.S., other geological & earth sciences/geosciences draws strong interest, with 863 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences Schools ranking analyzes these 87 schools to determine the best overall colleges for other geological & earth sciences/geosciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of other geological & earth sciences/geosciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a other geological & earth sciences/geosciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a other geological & earth sciences/geosciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several other geological & earth sciences/geosciences 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 | 16 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 581 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 200 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 66 |
People currently working in careers related to other geological & earth sciences/geosciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.1% |
| Master’s degree | 28.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 4.0% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.9% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.5% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.4% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.3% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in other geological & earth sciences/geosciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying other geological & earth sciences/geosciences opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to other geological & earth sciences/geosciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to other geological & earth sciences/geosciences.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| 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% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow 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 other geological & earth sciences/geosciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers other geological & earth sciences/geosciences grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
With 87 different other geological & earth sciences/geosciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased other geological & earth sciences/geosciences school rankings to help you.
Those considering other geological & earth sciences/geosciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,715 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 569 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 220 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 197 |
| Geochemistry | 33 |
| Paleontology | 25 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
