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

35 Colleges in the United States
861 Geology & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$47,626 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geology & Earth Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geology & earth sciences programs.

College Factual analyzed 75 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best geology & earth sciences schools.

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Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Southeast Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geology & earth sciences education in the Southeast Region.

Top Schools in Geology & Earth Sciences

1
Vanderbilt University crest
Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Vanderbilt University tops our 2026 ranking of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Nashville. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Vanderbilt University graduates carry a median of $13,975 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Vanderbilt University

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #2. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 24 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $61,361 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of 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. About 66% of students finish within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 26 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn around $42,218 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

4

College Of William And Mary is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. College Of William And Mary is a large public school located in the suburb of Williamsburg. About 89% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 17 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of William And Mary in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for College Of William And Mary

5

Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at Tulane University Of Louisiana, which ranked #5. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Tulane University Of Louisiana in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $54,082 in their early career. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Tulane University Of Louisiana

6

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earned the #6 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 38 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

7

North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned the #7 position for geology & earth sciences this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. North Carolina State University At Raleigh awarded about 15 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,871. Typical student debt for the program is $22,234. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

8

University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Tampa. Roughly 77% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of South Florida Main Campus awarded about 42 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $48,565 early in their careers. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates carry a median of $24,002 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of South Florida Main Campus

9

University Of Georgia placed #9 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Athens. About 90% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 16 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $53,546 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Georgia

10
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #10 for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Florida State University awarded about 17 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $51,884 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,488. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Florida State University

11
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Harrisonburg. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. James Madison University awarded about 21 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from James Madison University earn around $48,118 in the first couple years of their career. James Madison University graduates carry a median of $22,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from James Madison University

12

Murray State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Murray State University awarded about 26 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Typical student debt for the program is $23,420. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Murray State University

13
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #13 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 27 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Florida earn around $40,691 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Florida

14

East Carolina University earned the #14 position for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. About 20 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at East Carolina University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from East Carolina University generally make around $44,961. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for East Carolina University

15

George Mason University came in at #15 for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. George Mason University graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at George Mason University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $63,131 in their early career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $23,529 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at George Mason University

16

The University Of Alabama earned the #16 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. About 23 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from The University Of Alabama earn around $50,740 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from The University Of Alabama

17

Florida International University landed the #17 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 28 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida International University generally make around $52,517. Students borrow a median of $19,349 to complete this degree. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Florida International University

18

Appalachian State University came in at #18 for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Appalachian State University earn around $35,021 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,853 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Appalachian State University

19

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington came in at #19 for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public institution. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. About 19 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $38,459 in their early career. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

20
College Of Charleston crest
College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. About 66% of students finish within six years. About 19 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at College Of Charleston in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from College Of Charleston generally make around $49,786. Typical student debt for the program is $26,500. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from College Of Charleston

21

West Virginia University placed #21 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Morgantown. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 27 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at West Virginia University in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $36,382 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for West Virginia University

22

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 65 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $37,717 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,897 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte

23

East Tennessee State University landed the #23 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. This large public university is located in the city of Johnson City. East Tennessee State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 33 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at East Tennessee State University in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of East Tennessee State University earn a median of $45,444 early in their careers. East Tennessee State University graduates carry a median of $21,301 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from East Tennessee State University

24

The University Of Tennessee ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Knoxville. The University Of Tennessee graduates 74% of students within six years. The University Of Tennessee awarded about 23 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from The University Of Tennessee earn around $30,101 in the first couple years of their career. The University Of Tennessee graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for The University Of Tennessee

25

Western Carolina University earned the #25 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Cullowhee, Western Carolina University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 60%. Western Carolina University awarded about 11 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Western Carolina University earn around $44,926 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,174 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Western Carolina University

Rest of the Top 31 Geology & Earth Sciences Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geology & earth sciences ranking:

26
Mississippi State University crest
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, MS
27
28
29
30
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY
31

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Notes and References

This ranking is produced 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 · 75 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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