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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region

9 Colleges in the United States
270 Geology & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$42,300 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geology & Earth Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 39 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geology & earth sciences students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geology & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Geology & Earth Sciences

1
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

Leading the list is University Of Utah, our #1 school for geology & earth sciences. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $49,446 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Utah

2
Colorado College crest
Colorado College
Colorado Springs, CO

A rank of #2 makes Colorado College one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Colorado College graduates 88% of students within six years. About 10 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Colorado College in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Colorado College earn a median of $37,342 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,921. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Colorado College

3

Colorado State University Fort Collins is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #3. Set in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 66%. About 36 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Colorado State University Fort Collins in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins generally make around $41,158. Typical student debt for the program is $26,028. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Colorado State University Fort Collins

4

Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Colorado Boulder, which ranked #4. University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public school located in the city of Boulder. About 74% of students finish within six years. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 39 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Colorado Boulder earn around $46,263 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Colorado Boulder

5

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wyoming one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. University Of Wyoming awarded about 21 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $45,758. Typical student debt for the program is $23,700. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Wyoming

6

Southern Utah University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. About 12 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Southern Utah University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Southern Utah University earn around $44,998 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,886. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Southern Utah University

7

University Of Northern Colorado came in at #7 for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. University Of Northern Colorado awarded about 17 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Northern Colorado earn around $46,954 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Northern Colorado graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of Northern Colorado

8

Utah State University placed #8 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Utah State University awarded about 13 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Utah State University earn around $50,348 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Utah State University

9

Boise State University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Boise State University awarded about 25 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Boise State University earn a median of $31,701 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,299. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Boise State University

10

Montana State University placed #10 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Montana State University graduates 57% of students within six years. There were roughly 64 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Montana State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $29,030 in their early career. Montana State University graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Montana State University

Narrow Geology & Earth Sciences Schools by State

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 39 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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