Geological & Earth Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 597 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geological & earth sciences students pursuing a degree.
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Choosing a Great Geological & Earth Sciences School
Where you study geological & earth sciences matters for your future. To help, we created our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Geological & Earth Sciences School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. 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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Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences 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 geological & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
No school ranked higher than University Of Pennsylvania this year for geological & earth sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 26 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $99,682 in their early career. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Pennsylvania
A rank of #2 makes Stanford University one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 104 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stanford University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stanford University generally make around $100,827. Typical student debt for the program is $10,492.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Stanford University
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, which ranked #3. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 114 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Vanderbilt University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #4. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 17 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Vanderbilt University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Vanderbilt University earn around $77,997 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Vanderbilt University
Dartmouth College came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. There were roughly 32 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Dartmouth College generally make around $81,992. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Dartmouth College
Brown University placed #6 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 37 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Brown University earn around $62,820 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,025.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Brown University
Yale University earned the #7 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. About 96% of students finish within six years. Yale University awarded about 29 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Yale University earn a median of $74,578 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,357.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Yale University
Washington University In St Louis placed #8 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of St. Louis. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 17 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Washington University In St Louis generally make around $68,303. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Washington University In St Louis
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 30 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of $48,489 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
University Of California Irvine landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 70 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Irvine in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Irvine
Indiana University Bloomington ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Bloomington, Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Indiana University Bloomington awarded about 20 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Indiana University Bloomington earn a median of $52,123 early in their careers. Indiana University Bloomington graduates carry a median of $20,542 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Indiana University Bloomington
Michigan Technological University came in at #12 for geological & earth sciences this year. Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Houghton. About 68% of students finish within six years. Michigan Technological University awarded about 23 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Michigan Technological University earn a median of $64,652 early in their careers. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Michigan Technological University
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus placed #13 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 34 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Bowdoin College placed #14 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 95%. Bowdoin College awarded about 19 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $58,938 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,658 to complete this degree.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Bowdoin College
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill came in at #15 for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 32 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & 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.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of California Davis landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 31 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $43,462. Typical student debt for the program is $16,416.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Davis
University Of California Los Angeles placed #17 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 37 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. Typical student debt for the program is $16,097.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Miami ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 31 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Miami in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Miami generally make around $57,234. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Miami
Massachusetts Institute Of Technology ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit university. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 33 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $113,129 in their early career. Massachusetts Institute Of Technology graduates carry a median of $13,516 in student loans.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Massachusetts Institute Of Technology
University Of Connecticut placed #20 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of Connecticut awarded about 28 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Connecticut
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #21 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. About 34 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $43,068 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Wisconsin Madison
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 77 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,062. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at The University Of Texas At Austin
California Institute Of Technology came in at #23 for geological & earth sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Pasadena. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. California Institute Of Technology awarded about 32 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $173,344 in their early career.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for California Institute Of Technology
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 54 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn around $44,825 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,700 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
University Of Utah landed the #25 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. University Of Utah graduates 65% of students within six years. There were roughly 45 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Utah in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Utah earn around $49,446 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,798 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Utah
Rest of the Top 50 Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
Not far behind, these schools also delivered a strong geological & earth sciences education:
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 · 597 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).
