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

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. 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

2

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $48,489 in their early career. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo

3

University Of California Irvine
Irvine, CA

University Of California Irvine is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #3. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. 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. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of California Irvine

4

University Of California Davis
Davis, CA

University Of California Davis came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & 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. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California Davis

5

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of California Los Angeles, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. 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. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of California Los Angeles

6

California Institute Of Technology
Pasadena, CA

California Institute Of Technology landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California Institute Of Technology generally make around $173,344. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at California Institute Of Technology

7

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Sonoma State University placed #7 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. Sonoma State University graduates 58% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Sonoma State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $51,140 in their early career. Sonoma State University graduates carry a median of $18,031 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Sonoma State University

8

University Of California Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA

University Of California Santa Cruz ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public university. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 83 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of $43,362 early in their careers. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of California Santa Cruz

9

University Of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA

University Of California San Diego landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of California San Diego is a very large public school located in the city of La Jolla. University Of California San Diego graduates 86% of students within six years. University Of California San Diego awarded about 94 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $79,645 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,101. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of California San Diego

10

California State University Sacramento
Sacramento, CA

California State University Sacramento landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. California State University Sacramento is a very large public school located in the city of Sacramento. About 56% of students finish within six years. About 29 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $49,907 early in their careers. California State University Sacramento graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from California State University Sacramento

11

California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Pomona, CA

California State Polytechnic University Pomona landed the #11 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. 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. California State Polytechnic University Pomona awarded about 24 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn around $49,406 in the first couple years of their career. California State Polytechnic University Pomona graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from California State Polytechnic University Pomona

12

California State University Fullerton
Fullerton, CA

California State University Fullerton placed #12 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Fullerton. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. California State University Fullerton awarded about 30 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from California State University Fullerton earn around $35,509 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,125. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at California State University Fullerton

13

Whitman College
Walla Walla, WA

Whitman College came in at #13 for geological & earth sciences this year. Whitman College is a small private not-for-profit school located in the city of Walla Walla. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 12 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Whitman College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Whitman College generally make around $32,345. Students borrow a median of $17,518 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Whitman College

14

University Of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA

University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #14 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 58 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $30,759 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,800 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Santa Barbara

15

University Of Hawaii At Manoa
Honolulu, HI

University Of Hawaii At Manoa placed #15 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public school located in the city of Honolulu. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. There were roughly 47 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Typical student debt for the program is $20,577. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Hawaii At Manoa

16

California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, CA

California State University Long Beach came in at #16 for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 25 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California State University Long Beach in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from California State University Long Beach earn around $50,982 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,671. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for California State University Long Beach

17

University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Seattle, WA

University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #17 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 97 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $29,724 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Washington Seattle Campus

18

University Of California Merced
Merced, CA

University Of California Merced placed #18 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of California Merced is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Merced. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Merced in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $42,071 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,318. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Merced

19

Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR

Oregon State University placed #19 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Oregon State University is a very large public school located in the city of Corvallis. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. Oregon State University awarded about 59 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Oregon State University earn around $39,450 in the first couple years of their career. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Oregon State University

20

Washington State University
Pullman, WA

Washington State University earned the #20 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Washington State University is a very large public school located in the town of Pullman. About 60% of students finish within six years. About 121 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Washington State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Washington State University earn around $33,178 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,905. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Washington State University

21

University Of Nevada Reno
Reno, NV

University Of Nevada Reno placed #21 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Nevada Reno is a very large public school located in the city of Reno. University Of Nevada Reno graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 36 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Nevada Reno in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Nevada Reno earn a median of $39,553 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Nevada Reno

22

Western Washington University
Bellingham, WA

Western Washington University landed the #22 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 66 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Western Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Western Washington University earn around $36,802 in the first couple years of their career. Western Washington University graduates carry a median of $26,158 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Western Washington University

23

Eastern Washington University
Cheney, WA

Eastern Washington University placed #23 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public university. About 44% of students finish within six years. About 23 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Eastern Washington University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Eastern Washington University graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Eastern Washington University

24

University Of Washington Bothell Campus
Bothell, WA

University Of Washington Bothell Campus ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the suburb of Bothell. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 14 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Bothell Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Washington Bothell Campus earn around $29,724 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Washington Bothell Campus

25

Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA

Humboldt State University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Arcata. About 49% of students finish within six years. About 27 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Humboldt State University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $29,476 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,526 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Humboldt State University