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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools

40 Colleges in the United States
1,106 Geological & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$54,720 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geological & Earth Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. 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.

What’s on this page:

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Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the United States

These are the top schools for a master’s degree in geological & earth sciences, based on student outcomes and program quality.

Top Schools in Geological & Earth Sciences

1
Stanford University crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Leading the list is Stanford University, our #1 school for geological & earth sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 43 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Stanford University earn a median of $100,827 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Stanford University

2

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #2. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Roughly 91% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill 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. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

3
Yale University crest
Yale University
New Haven, CT

Yale University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #3. Yale University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Haven. Yale University graduates 96% of students within six years. Yale University awarded about 14 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Yale University generally make around $74,578. Students borrow a median of $14,357 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Yale University

4
Brown University crest
Brown University
Providence, RI

Brown University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #4. Set in the city of Providence, Brown University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 20 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Brown University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $13,025 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Brown University

5

Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 10 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn around $83,560 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

6

Washington University In St Louis earned the #6 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. Washington University In St Louis awarded about 11 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $68,303 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Washington University In St Louis

7

University Of California Irvine placed #7 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. University Of California Irvine graduates 87% of students within six years. About 12 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. University Of California Irvine graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of California Irvine

8

Indiana University Bloomington ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Indiana University Bloomington is a very large public school located in the city of Bloomington. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 10 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Indiana University Bloomington in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Indiana University Bloomington generally make around $52,123. Students borrow a median of $20,542 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Indiana University Bloomington

9

California Institute Of Technology ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, California Institute Of Technology is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 94% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 14 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at California Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of California Institute Of Technology earn a median of $173,344 early in their careers. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for California Institute Of Technology

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #10 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 10 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $43,068. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

11

The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #11 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,062 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,487. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for The University Of Texas At Austin

12

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earned the #12 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Minneapolis. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 22 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $44,825 early in their careers. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

13

University Of Connecticut placed #13 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 12 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Connecticut earn a median of $58,784 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Connecticut

14

Rutgers University New Brunswick landed the #14 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public university. About 84% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 13 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Rutgers University New Brunswick in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Rutgers University New Brunswick generally make around $47,045. Typical student debt for the program is $24,830. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Rutgers University New Brunswick

15
University Of Miami crest
University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

University Of Miami landed the #15 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Coral Gables. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. There were roughly 16 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Miami in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $57,234 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,750 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Miami

16

University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #16 for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. University Of Washington Seattle Campus awarded about 39 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $29,724. 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

17

University Of California Santa Cruz placed #17 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. About 16 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Cruz in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of California Santa Cruz earn around $43,362 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates carry a median of $20,833 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of California Santa Cruz

18

University Of Massachusetts Amherst placed #18 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 10 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst

19

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #19 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Baton Rouge. About 66% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 30 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $42,218. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

20

University Of Rhode Island ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. University Of Rhode Island awarded about 42 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Rhode Island earn around $52,821 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Rhode Island

21

California State University Sacramento came in at #21 for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. California State University Sacramento graduates 56% of students within six years. About 12 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California State University Sacramento in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from California State University Sacramento earn around $49,907 in the first couple years of their career. 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

22

University Of New Hampshire Main Campus landed the #22 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Durham. University Of New Hampshire Main Campus graduates 76% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Hampshire Main Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $52,064 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $26,368 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of New Hampshire Main Campus

23

Texas A And M University College Station came in at #23 for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 46 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $70,539 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $20,837. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Texas A And M University College Station

24
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus placed #24 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. Purdue University Main Campus awarded about 12 geological & earth sciences degrees 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. Purdue University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Purdue University Main Campus

25

University Of Nebraska Lincoln landed the #25 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public school located in the city of Lincoln. University Of Nebraska Lincoln graduates 67% of students within six years. About 12 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska Lincoln in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska Lincoln generally make around $49,755. Students borrow a median of $22,386 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Nebraska Lincoln

Rest of the Top 50 Geological & Earth Sciences Schools

These schools also placed among the best for geological & earth sciences this year:

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31
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35
36
37
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
38
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42
43
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46
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50

Other Geological & Earth Sciences Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare Geological & Earth Sciences rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Geological & Earth Sciences
Associate's Degrees in Geological & Earth Sciences
Bachelor's Degrees in Geological & Earth Sciences
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View All Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings >

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 597 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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