Geophysics & Seismology is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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 45 schools to find the best for geophysics & seismology students.
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Choosing a Great Geophysics & Seismology School
Where you study geophysics & seismology matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Geophysics & Seismology School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
To find the best fit, you can narrow this list to a specific degree level below.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Geophysics & Seismology 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.
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ADBLOCK #171
Best Schools for Geophysics & Seismology in the United States
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 geophysics & seismology degrees they offer, see the list below.
Stanford University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in geophysics & seismology. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Stanford University awarded about 16 geophysics & seismology degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geophysics & seismology degree from Stanford University earn around $100,827 in the first couple years of their career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans.
Read more about the geophysics & seismology program at Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Los Angeles one of the top schools for geophysics & seismology. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 13 geophysics & seismology degrees in the most recent data year. Geophysics & Seismology graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
Get the full geophysics & seismology details for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geophysics & seismology, ranking #3. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. About 26 geophysics & seismology degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Students who receive their geophysics & seismology degree from University Of Houston earn around $89,896 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in geophysics & seismology from University Of Houston
A rank of #4 makes Colorado School Of Mines one of the top schools for geophysics & seismology. Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Golden. About 82% of students finish within six years. About 16 geophysics & seismology degrees were awarded at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from Colorado School Of Mines generally make around $79,523. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geophysics & seismology from Colorado School Of Mines
Students looking for a strong geophysics & seismology program will find one at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, which ranked #5. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public school located in the suburb of Norman. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 13 geophysics & seismology degrees were awarded at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the geophysics & seismology program make about $86,497 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geophysics & seismology from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus
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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 · 45 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
