2026 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Far Western Region

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for geology & earth sciences. Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Stanford. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 62 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Stanford University

2

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at University Of California Irvine, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. There were roughly 70 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of California Irvine earn around $38,804 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of California Irvine

3

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

A rank of #3 makes University Of California Davis one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $43,462. Students borrow a median of $16,416 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of California Davis

4

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 21 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of California Los Angeles earn around $63,833 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of California Los Angeles

5

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology came in at #5 on our 2026 list of 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. There were roughly 14 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for California Institute Of Technology

6

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. About 75% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 67 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $43,362 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,833 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of California Santa Cruz

7

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #7 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 50 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California San Diego in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of California San Diego earn around $79,645 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California San Diego graduates carry a median of $17,101 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of California San Diego

8

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #8 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Sacramento in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $49,907. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from California State University Sacramento

9

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. About 68% of students finish within six years. About 24 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $49,406 early in their careers. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at California State Polytechnic University Pomona

10

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton landed the #10 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. California State University Fullerton awarded about 18 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $35,509. California State University Fullerton graduates carry a median of $15,125 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at California State University Fullerton

11

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #11 for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 53 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $30,759 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of California Santa Barbara

12

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #12 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 41 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa

13

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach earned the #13 position for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Long Beach. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. About 24 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $50,982 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for California State University Long Beach

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 24 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $29,724 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of Washington Seattle Campus

15

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced landed the #15 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Merced, University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public institution. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 16 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Merced generally make around $42,071. University Of California Merced graduates carry a median of $18,318 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of California Merced

16

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University came in at #16 for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 27 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $39,450. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Oregon State University

17

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a very large public institution. Washington State University graduates 60% of students within six years. Washington State University awarded about 119 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Washington State University earn a median of $33,178 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,905 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Washington State University

18

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno came in at #18 for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Reno. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Nevada Reno earn around $39,553 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Nevada Reno

19

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University placed #19 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 59 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Western Washington University in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Western Washington University earn a median of $36,802 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,158 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Western Washington University

20

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Washington Bothell Campus awarded about 14 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Bothell Campus generally make around $29,724. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of Washington Bothell Campus

21

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University landed the #21 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Humboldt State University graduates 49% of students within six years. Humboldt State University awarded about 16 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Humboldt State University earn around $29,476 in the first couple years of their career. Humboldt State University graduates carry a median of $20,526 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Humboldt State University

22

University Of Oregon
Eugene, OR

University Of Oregon earned the #22 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. University Of Oregon graduates 72% of students within six years. About 30 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Oregon in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $44,628 in their early career. University Of Oregon graduates carry a median of $29,145 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Oregon

23

Portland State University
Portland, OR

Portland State University ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Roughly 53% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Portland State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $37,831. Typical student debt for the program is $24,125. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Portland State University

24

University Of Nevada Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV

University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Las Vegas. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. There were roughly 40 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Las Vegas in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $41,963 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,298 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of Nevada Las Vegas

25

University Of California Riverside
Riverside, CA

University Of California Riverside came in at #25 for geology & earth sciences this year. University Of California Riverside is a very large public school located in the city of Riverside. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Riverside awarded about 19 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $22,998 in their early career. University Of California Riverside graduates carry a median of $19,187 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of California Riverside