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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

136 Colleges in the United States
3,973 Geology & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$49,641 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geology & Earth Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 553 schools to find the best for geology & earth sciences students.

What’s on this page:

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Choosing a Great Geology & Earth Sciences School

Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

The school you choose for geology & earth sciences can shape your career. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.

To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.

Geology & Earth Sciences Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Geology & Earth Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Geology & Earth Sciences
Master's Degrees in Geology & Earth Sciences
Doctoral Degrees in Geology & Earth Sciences

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools list, to help you choose. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

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Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences in the United States

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geology & earth sciences education, regardless of degree level.

Top Schools in Geology & Earth Sciences

1
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Pennsylvania awarded about 21 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Pennsylvania earn around $99,682 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Pennsylvania

2
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University graduates 92% of students within six years. Stanford University awarded about 62 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Stanford University

3

Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 68 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

4
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

A rank of #4 makes Vanderbilt University one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 17 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Vanderbilt University earn a median of $77,997 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Vanderbilt University

5
Dartmouth College crest
Dartmouth College
Hanover, NH

Dartmouth College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $81,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Dartmouth College

6
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Brown University awarded about 31 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Brown University

7
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University placed #7 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. About 29 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $74,578 in their early career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Yale University

8

Washington University In St Louis came in at #8 for geology & earth sciences this year. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. About 16 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Washington University In St Louis

9

University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. About 87% of students finish within six years. About 70 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of California Irvine

10

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Indiana University Bloomington

11
Bowdoin College crest
Bowdoin College
Brunswick, ME

Bowdoin College earned the #11 position for geology & earth sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Brunswick. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. About 19 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Bowdoin College earn around $58,938 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Bowdoin College

12

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill placed #12 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 24 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $61,361 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

13

University Of California Davis earned the #13 position for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 23 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $43,462 in their early career. University Of California Davis graduates carry a median of $16,416 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of California Davis

14

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #14 for geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. There were roughly 21 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of California Los Angeles

15

Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #15 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 12 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn a median of $113,129 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology

16

University Of Connecticut ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. University Of Connecticut graduates 83% of students within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 15 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Connecticut

17

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #17 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $43,068 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

18

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #18 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. The University Of Texas At Austin awarded about 70 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,487. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at The University Of Texas At Austin

19

California Institute Of Technology placed #19 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. California Institute Of Technology graduates 94% of students within six years. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 14 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from California Institute Of Technology earn around $173,344 in the first couple years of their career. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for California Institute Of Technology

20

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #20 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 36 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $44,825 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

21
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah earned the #21 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Utah awarded about 33 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Utah earn around $49,446 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Utah graduates carry a median of $20,798 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of Utah

22

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #22 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 26 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $47,045. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Rutgers University New Brunswick

23

Johns Hopkins University landed the #23 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Johns Hopkins University awarded about 14 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Johns Hopkins University earn around $84,850 in the first couple years of their career. Johns Hopkins University graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Johns Hopkins University

24

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 72 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $45,974 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

25

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College placed #25 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 26 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $42,218 early in their careers. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

Rest of the Top 50 Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for geology & earth sciences this year:

26
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD
44
45
46
47
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN
48
49
50

Additional Geology & Earth Sciences Award Winners

These schools also earned a top-quality badge for geology & earth sciences this year:

Rank School Location
#58 University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA
#63 University At Buffalo Buffalo, NY
#71 Ohio State University Main Campus Columbus, OH
#77 University Of Arizona Tucson, AZ
#86 University Of Wyoming Laramie, WY
#95 University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus Norman, OK

Honorable Mentions

A few more geology & earth sciences schools worth a look:

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Geology & Earth Sciences by Region

View the Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes

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Explore other rankings in majors related to Geology & Earth Sciences. Browse the parent area of study.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 553 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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