2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southeast Region

1

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN

Leading the list is Vanderbilt University, our #1 school for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Vanderbilt University awarded about 17 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Vanderbilt University generally make around $77,997. Typical student debt for the program is $13,975. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Vanderbilt University

2

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
Atlanta, GA

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus in the most recent 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. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

3

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC

University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 32 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $61,361 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,117. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill

4

University Of Miami
Coral Gables, FL

Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Miami, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Coral Gables, University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% 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 Miami in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $57,234 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,750. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Miami

5

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College
Baton Rouge, LA

Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #5. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public school located in the city of Baton Rouge. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College graduates 66% of students within six years. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College awarded about 89 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $42,218 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College

6

College Of William And Mary
Williamsburg, VA

College Of William And Mary placed #6 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Williamsburg, College Of William And Mary is a large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. College Of William And Mary awarded about 17 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $53,338 in their early career. College Of William And Mary graduates carry a median of $18,935 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for College Of William And Mary

7

Tulane University Of Louisiana
New Orleans, LA

Tulane University Of Louisiana came in at #7 for geological & earth sciences this year. Tulane University Of Louisiana is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New Orleans. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates 86% of students within six years. Tulane University Of Louisiana awarded about 20 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Tulane University Of Louisiana earn a median of $54,082 early in their careers. Tulane University Of Louisiana graduates carry a median of $22,077 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Tulane University Of Louisiana

8

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Blacksburg, VA

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. There were roughly 38 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $60,004 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,393. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

9

North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Raleigh, NC

North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #9 for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 33 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn around $38,871 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,234 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh

10

University Of South Florida Main Campus
Tampa, FL

University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #10 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. University Of South Florida Main Campus graduates 77% of students within six years. There were roughly 55 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of South Florida Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $48,565. Students borrow a median of $24,002 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of South Florida Main Campus

11

University Of Georgia
Athens, GA

University Of Georgia placed #11 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. There were roughly 16 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,792. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Georgia

12

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University came in at #12 for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Tallahassee. Florida State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Florida State University awarded about 32 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $51,884. Florida State University graduates carry a median of $20,488 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Florida State University

13

James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA

James Madison University came in at #13 for geological & earth sciences this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 21 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at James Madison University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of James Madison University earn a median of $48,118 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,375. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for James Madison University

14

Murray State University
Murray, KY

Murray State University came in at #14 for geological & earth sciences this year. This large public university is located in the town of Murray. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. Murray State University awarded about 26 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $48,423 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Murray State University

15

University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

University Of Florida earned the #15 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. About 91% of students finish within six years. About 27 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Florida in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Florida earn around $40,691 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,757. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Florida

16

East Carolina University
Greenville, NC

East Carolina University earned the #16 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Greenville, East Carolina University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 21 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at East Carolina University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from East Carolina University earn around $44,961 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from East Carolina University

17

George Mason University
Fairfax, VA

George Mason University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. About 22 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at George Mason University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from George Mason University earn around $63,131 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at George Mason University

18

The University Of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL

The University Of Alabama ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. The University Of Alabama graduates 73% of students within six years. About 23 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Alabama in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Alabama earn a median of $50,740 early in their careers. The University Of Alabama graduates carry a median of $24,496 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from The University Of Alabama

19

Florida International University
Miami, FL

Florida International University came in at #19 for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Miami. About 74% of students finish within six years. Florida International University awarded about 28 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Florida International University earn around $52,517 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $19,349. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Florida International University

20

Appalachian State University
Boone, NC

Appalachian State University came in at #20 for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Appalachian State University graduates 74% of students within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 22 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Appalachian State University earn around $35,021 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,853 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Appalachian State University

21

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA

Old Dominion University landed the #21 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. About 29 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Old Dominion University earn around $57,131 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Old Dominion University

22

University Of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS

University Of Southern Mississippi ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Hattiesburg. The six-year graduation rate is 49%. There were roughly 35 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Southern Mississippi in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Southern Mississippi earn a median of $52,338 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,415. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Southern Mississippi

23

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL

Florida Atlantic University placed #23 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. There were roughly 48 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Florida Atlantic University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $49,340 in their early career. Florida Atlantic University graduates carry a median of $20,212 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Florida Atlantic University

24

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
Wilmington, NC

University Of North Carolina At Wilmington landed the #24 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Wilmington, University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 71%. About 50 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $38,459 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington

25

College Of Charleston
Charleston, SC

College Of Charleston placed #25 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. College Of Charleston is a large public school located in the city of Charleston. College Of Charleston graduates 66% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at College Of Charleston in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from College Of Charleston earn around $49,786 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete this degree. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for College Of Charleston