by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Geology & Earth Sciences involves the study of Geology/earth Science, General. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Earth; The Forces Acting Upon It; And The Behavior Of The Solids, Liquids And Gases Comprising It. Includes Instruction In Historical Geology, Geomorphology, And Sedimentology, The Chemistry Of Rocks And Soils, Stratigraphy, Mineralogy, Petrology, Geostatistics, Volcanology, Glaciology, Geophysical Principles, And Applications To Research And Industrial Problems. Continue reading for the essential details every geology & earth sciences major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geology & earth sciences programs.
Across the country, geology & earth sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 5,715 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools ranking analyzes these 435 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geology & earth sciences students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geology & earth sciences programs later in this article.
Studies in Geology & Earth Sciences emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geology & earth sciences graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a geology & earth sciences program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
According to O*NET, a geology & earth sciences major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geology & 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 | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 132 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,855 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,235 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 492 |
People currently working in careers related to geology & earth sciences tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.4% |
| Master’s degree | 29.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| 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 geology & earth sciences careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in geology & earth sciences prepares you for numerous career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to geology & earth sciences.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geology & 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% |
| 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% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | 56,828 | 9.9% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of geology & earth sciences 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 geology & earth sciences graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geology & 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 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
With 435 different geology & earth sciences programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geology & earth sciences school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in geology & earth sciences, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
