by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 8 U.S. colleges awarded 80 degrees and certificates in Earth Systems Science. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Earth Systems Science Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Its 8 related occupations pay an average median salary of $100,751 a year.
A major in Earth Systems Science explores A Program That Focuses On The Interaction Of The Earth's Oceanographic, Atmospheric, And Terrestrial Systems. Includes Instruction In Biogeochemistry, Climate Dynamics, Geographical Information Science (Gis), Geophysics, Hydrology, Landscape Ecology, Meteorology, And Satellite Remote Sensing Analysis.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, earth systems science is a popular field of study, with 80 degrees awarded annually. 8 colleges award earth systems science degrees, an average of 10 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 22.
By level, the 80 awards include 60 bachelor’s degrees, 13 master’s degrees and 7 doctorates.
Women earned 56% of earth systems science degrees and certificates in the latest year (45 of 80). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (52) and Hispanic or Latino (13), and international students earned 6.
College Factual ranks 3 schools in its 2027 Best Earth Systems Science Schools ranking, including 2 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks earth systems science schools within 1 state. In all, 8 colleges offer earth systems science programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Earth Systems Science Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common earth systems science credential is the bachelor’s degree: 60 of the 80 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to earth systems science call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long an earth systems science degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 60 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 13 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 7 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to earth systems science, at 43.9%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.9% |
| Master’s degree | 22.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 10.2% |
| Post-doctoral training | 7.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.9% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 3.1% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.0% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 2.7% |
| Some college courses | 2.2% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 1.7% |
Source: O*NET Online.
8 occupations are related to Earth Systems Science, with an average median salary of $100,751; the strongest outlook belongs to Geographers, at 10.6% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager and High School Biology Teacher.
The occupation related to earth systems science with the most projected jobs is Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, at 615,002.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | 615,002 | 10.3% |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | 571,954 | 1.8% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Hydrologists | 58,938 | 8.2% |
| Geographers | 41,950 | 10.6% |
The highest-paying occupation related to earth systems science is Water Resource Specialists, with a median salary of $179,716.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Water Resource Specialists | $179,716 |
| Natural Sciences Managers | $132,227 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Hydrologists | $96,513 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $77,927 |
| Geographers | $77,391 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
