by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 477 U.S. colleges awarded 7,713 degrees and certificates in Geological & Earth Sciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 65% of graduates. College Factual ranks 185 schools in its 2027 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $43,327 one year after completing, rising to $65,518 after four years.
The earth is magnificent place that holds so much history, and yet is constantly changing. If you would like to study the earth, from renewable energy sources to minerals and rock structures, a major in Geological and Earth Sciences may be for you.
Students who major in Geological and Earth Sciences take classes in biology, mineralogy, geochemistry, physical geology, and petrology in order to learn everything about the earth. They will study minerals, rocks, soil chemistry, and natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes. This major informs students about the earth's past, present and future.
Possible concentrations in this field include general Geology and Earth Science, Geochemistry, Geophysics and Seismology, Paleontology, Hydrology and Water Resources Science, Geochemistry and Petrology, Chemical and Physical Oceanography.
A major in Geological & Earth Sciences involves the study of Geological And Earth Sciences/geosciences.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Nationwide, geological & earth sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 7,713 degrees awarded annually. 477 colleges award geological & earth sciences degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 160.
By level, the 7,713 awards include 13 certificates, 157 associate degrees, 5,052 bachelor’s degrees, 1,740 master’s degrees and 751 doctorates.
Women earned 52% of geological & earth sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (4,011 of 7,713). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (5,009) and Hispanic or Latino (979), and international students earned 638.
College Factual ranks 185 schools in its 2027 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking, including 167 for bachelor’s degrees, 47 for master’s degrees and 24 for doctorates. It also ranks geological & earth sciences schools within 40 states. In all, 477 colleges offer geological & earth sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Geological & Earth Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common geological & earth sciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 5,052 of the 7,713 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to geological & earth sciences call most for Speaking, Reading Comprehension and Active Listening, and for knowledge of English Language, Mathematics and Education and Training, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Comprehension and Oral Comprehension.
This major involves lot of science classes. Students will be expected to understand the chemical make-up of certain compositions, be able to perform experiments, and analyze data. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills will help you work on complex problems and draw conclusions from observations and data. Writing and communication skills are also important because scientists must be able to explain their findings to other people who do not have a background in Geological and Earth Sciences.
A degree in Geological and Earth Sciences typically leads to a full time career as a scientist. While you will spend time in offices and laboratories, you will also be expected to conduct fieldwork. This means traveling and putting in long and irregular hours for certain projects.
Previous experience is important in this field and employers often look for students who have gained both field and lab experience while working towards their degree. You can gain this experience through internships or summer field camp programs. These allow students to get hands-on experience conducting experiments, analyzing data, and incorporating classroom knowledge into a real world setting under the advisement of a professor.
Depending on where you decide to work, you may need to earn certification first. It is best to check state laws to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements, as these can vary.
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How long a geological & earth sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 13 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 157 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 5,052 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,740 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 751 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to geological & earth sciences, at 30.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 30.2% |
| Master’s degree | 28.9% |
| Doctoral degree | 14.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 10.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.1% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
9 occupations are related to Geological & Earth Sciences, with an average median salary of $103,578; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Research Coordinator, Clinical Project Manager, Clinical Trials Manager and College Professor.
Geological and Earth Science graduates work in a variety of fields. Some have gone into the oil and gas industry, engineering firms, mining companies, environmental firms, and government agencies. Those with advanced degrees also perform independent research. Since many industries rely on the earth or interact with it in some way, Geological and Earth Science graduates have many career options.
The occupation related to geological & earth sciences 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% |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | 542,888 | 10.4% |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | 398,348 | 7.1% |
| Natural Sciences Managers | 179,495 | 8.7% |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 150,428 | 4.5% |
| Hydrologic Technicians | 139,812 | 4.0% |
| Water Resource Specialists | 78,994 | -0.4% |
| Hydrologists | 58,938 | 8.2% |
Geological & Earth Sciences graduates earn a median $43,327 one year after completing their program, $65,518 after four years and $63,299 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,327 |
| 4 years | $65,518 |
| 5 years | $63,299 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to geological & earth sciences 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 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $119,992 |
| Clinical Research Coordinators | $110,931 |
| Hydrologists | $96,513 |
| Hydrologic Technicians | $92,011 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,509 |
Geological & Earth Sciences includes 7 concentrations that together award 7,713 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Geology/Earth Science, General (5,781), Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other (960) and Oceanography, Chemical and Physical (543). It has 8 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 40,990 degrees a year; the largest are Chemistry (19,861), Physics (13,929) and Physical Sciences, General (2,991). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology/Earth Science, General | 5,781 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other | 960 |
| Oceanography, Chemical and Physical | 543 |
| Hydrology and Water Resources Science | 210 |
| Geophysics and Seismology | 173 |
| Geochemistry | 25 |
| Paleontology | 21 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 19,861 |
| Physics | 13,929 |
| Physical Sciences, General | 2,991 |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 1,749 |
| Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology | 1,297 |
| Materials Sciences | 633 |
| Physical Sciences, Other | 469 |
| Physics and Astronomy | 61 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
