by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 434 U.S. colleges awarded 5,781 degrees and certificates in Geology & Earth Sciences. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 69% of graduates. College Factual ranks 164 schools in its 2027 Best Geology & 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.
A major in Geology & Earth Sciences involves the study of Geology/earth Science, General. A Program That Focuses On The Scientific Study Of The Earth; The Forces Acting Upon It; And The Behavior Of The Solids, Liquids And Gases Comprising It. Includes Instruction In Historical Geology, Geomorphology, And Sedimentology, The Chemistry Of Rocks And Soils, Stratigraphy, Mineralogy, Petrology, Geostatistics, Volcanology, Glaciology, Geophysical Principles, And Applications To Research And Industrial Problems.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, geology & earth sciences is a widely-pursued major, with 5,781 degrees awarded annually. 434 colleges award geology & earth sciences degrees, an average of 13 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 157.
By level, the 5,781 awards include 1 certificates, 152 associate degrees, 3,997 bachelor’s degrees, 1,128 master’s degrees and 503 doctorates.
Women earned 52% of geology & earth sciences degrees and certificates in the latest year (2,989 of 5,781). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,798) and Hispanic or Latino (786), and international students earned 414.
College Factual ranks 164 schools in its 2027 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools ranking, including 143 for bachelor’s degrees, 25 for master’s degrees and 14 for doctorates. It also ranks geology & earth sciences schools within 40 states. In all, 434 colleges offer geology & earth sciences programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Geology & Earth Sciences Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common geology & earth sciences credential is the bachelor’s degree: 3,997 of the 5,781 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to geology & 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.
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How long a geology & earth sciences degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 152 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 3,997 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,128 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 503 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to geology & earth sciences, at 31.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 31.4% |
| Master’s degree | 29.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 13.6% |
| Post-doctoral training | 9.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.8% |
| Some college courses | 3.0% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 2.8% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
7 occupations are related to Geology & Earth Sciences, with an average median salary of $110,097; the strongest outlook belongs to Clinical Research Coordinators, at 10.4% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Clinical Project Manager, Research Coordinator, Clinical Trials Manager and Mineralogy Professor.
The occupation related to geology & 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% |
| 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% |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | 56,828 | 9.9% |
Geology & 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 geology & 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 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary | $72,801 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $58,500 |
Geology & Earth Sciences has 6 similar majors in the Physical Sciences field, which together award 1,932 degrees a year; the largest are Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, Other (960), Oceanography, Chemical and Physical (543) and Hydrology and Water Resources Science (210). Browse all Physical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| 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 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
