by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you are interested in developing buildings that can withstand hurricane force winds or build tunnels that go miles through the sides of mountains, Geoscience Engineering is for you.
Those who have a degree in geoscience engineering collaborate with builders on major construction projects, help develop environmental clean-up plans, and play a role in reducing the damage caused by natural hazards. To gain these skills, students take classes that cover topics such as physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, geology, and computer science.
In 2020-2021, geoscience engineering was the 304th most popular major nationwide with 325 degrees awarded. This 93 less than the prior year, a decrease of 28.6%.
Our 2023 Best Geoscience Engineering Schools ranking analyzes 16 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for geoscience engineering students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geoscience engineering programs later in this article.
Geoscience Engineering majors spend much of their time developing ways to improve the way people use land and natural resources. They may determine where to put in a dam or tunnel, the best way to harvest natural resources, or how to build buildings that can withstand earthquakes; this makes problem solving and ingenuity required skills. Students should also have strong critical thinking and analysis, and be able to work well in a team. Successful students often have a background in mathematics and physical sciences.
Geoscience Engineering Professionals often work full time in an office environment. While they may travel to site for observation, most professionals use computers and information software to analyze data and complete projects.
This career is very experience and field oriented. Student should pursue internships or summer jobs within the field while working towards their degree. Some colleges will offer summer field study programs where students can travel to different parts of the country to gain relevant experience.
geoscience engineering degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. Specific geoscience engineering careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
Geoscience Engineering degree levels vary. Geoscience Engineering programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest geoscience engineering degree you can get. Geoscience Engineering programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to geoscience engineering, with approximately 49.3% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to geoscience engineering tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 53.4% |
| Master’s Degree | 17.3% |
| Doctoral Degree | 14.0% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 7.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 2.7% |
Most workers in geoscience engineering have at least a bachelor's degree. View the chart below to get an idea of what degree level most of those in geoscience engineering careers have.
This of course varies depending on which geoscience engineering career you choose.
Geoscience Engineering graduates work at a variety of locations, often within the construction or architecture fields. Since graduates are knowledgeable about many aspects of the environment and how they interact with human engineering, there are many career options available.
Want a job when you graduate with your geoscience engineering degree? Geoscience Engineering careers are expected to grow 7.1% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geoscience engineering.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | 190,000 | 5.5% |
| Engineers | 141,000 | 6.4% |
| Engineering Professors | 54,600 | 14.7% |
| Mining and Geological Engineers | 7,900 | 8.2% |
Geoscience Engineering graduates between 2017-2019 reported earning an average of $68,772 in the 2019-2020 timeframe. Earnings can range from as low as $50,888 to as high as $119,159. As you might expect, salaries for geoscience engineering graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for geoscience engineering graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers geoscience engineering grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $148,970 |
| Engineering Professors | $113,680 |
| Engineers | $99,410 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers | $98,420 |
With over 47 different geoscience engineering degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased geoscience engineering school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Geoscience Engineering that might interest you.
Geoscience Engineering is one of 40 different types of Engineering programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 46,178 |
| Electrical Engineering | 28,844 |
| Civil Engineering | 21,388 |
| Computer Engineering | 17,987 |
| Chemical Engineering | 12,917 |
