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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

23 Colleges in the United States
616 Geological & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$43,428 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geological & Earth Sciences 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 83 schools to find the best for geological & earth sciences students.

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Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geological & earth sciences education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Geological & Earth Sciences

1

Our analysis ranked Indiana University Bloomington the best school in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Bloomington. Indiana University Bloomington graduates 80% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Indiana University Bloomington earn around $52,123 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Indiana University Bloomington

2

A rank of #2 makes Michigan Technological University one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Michigan Technological University

3

A rank of #3 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 34 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Wisconsin Madison earn around $43,068 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Ann Arbor. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 72 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,974. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates carry a median of $17,875 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

5

Illinois State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #5. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $49,660. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Illinois State University

6
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #6 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 67 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,692 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Purdue University Main Campus

7

Ohio University Main Campus earned the #7 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 50 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $38,637 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Ohio University Main Campus

8

Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #8 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbus. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. About 46 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus generally make around $41,156. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Ohio State University Main Campus

9

Miami University Oxford earned the #9 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 33 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $38,478. Typical student debt for the program is $20,862. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Miami University Oxford

10

Western Michigan University placed #10 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Kalamazoo, Western Michigan University is a large public institution. About 58% of students finish within six years. Western Michigan University awarded about 26 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Western Michigan University earn around $48,966 in the first couple years of their career. Western Michigan University graduates carry a median of $27,981 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Western Michigan University

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #11 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 28 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $38,867. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #12 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 21 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $44,207 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

13
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Michigan State University earn around $39,997 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $29,869 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Michigan State University

14

University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #14 for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public school located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 35 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Illinois At Chicago

15

Grand Valley State University earned the #15 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. About 13 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $38,675. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Grand Valley State University

16

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee landed the #16 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public school located in the city of Milwaukee. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee graduates 53% of students within six years. About 21 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee generally make around $42,932. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

17

University Of Akron Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public university. Roughly 52% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,678. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Akron Main Campus

18

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #18 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Bowling Green. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. Bowling Green State University Main Campus awarded about 32 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $45,196 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,449 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Bowling Green State University Main Campus

19

Kent State University At Kent placed #19 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. About 25 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $40,005 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Kent State University At Kent

20

Wright State University Main Campus landed the #20 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Wright State University Main Campus awarded about 14 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $39,321. Wright State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Wright State University Main Campus

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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 · 83 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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