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2027 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

19 Colleges in the United States
527 Geology & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$43,131 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geology & Earth Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 19 schools to find the best for geology & earth sciences students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geology & earth sciences education in the Great Lakes Region.

Top Schools in Geology & Earth Sciences

1

Michigan Technological University tops our 2027 ranking of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Houghton. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 12 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan Technological University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Michigan Technological University earn around $64,652 in the first couple years of their career. Michigan Technological University graduates carry a median of $25,800 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Michigan Technological University

2

University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 80 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $45,974 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $17,875. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. About 25 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $43,068. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

A rank of #4 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 73%. Augustana College Illinois awarded about 12 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,764. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Augustana College Illinois

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

A rank of #5 makes Purdue University Main Campus one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. There were roughly 61 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $39,692 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Purdue University Main Campus

6

Ohio University Main Campus landed the #6 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 52 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus generally make around $38,637. Typical student debt for the program is $19,500. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Ohio University Main Campus

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #7 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 19 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

8
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #8 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Oberlin, Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Oberlin College graduates 81% of students within six years. There were roughly 14 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Oberlin College in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Oberlin College earn around $25,146 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete this degree. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at Oberlin College

9

Ohio State University Main Campus came in at #9 for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 35 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Ohio State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Ohio State University Main Campus

10

Miami University Oxford came in at #10 for geology & earth sciences this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. Miami University Oxford awarded about 38 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $38,478 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $20,862 to complete this degree. Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Miami University Oxford

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #11 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign awarded about 17 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn around $38,867 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,250. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. About 62% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $37,280 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

13

Northern Illinois University earned the #13 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Northern Illinois University graduates 49% of students within six years. About 17 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Northern Illinois University earn around $52,308 in the first couple years of their career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Northern Illinois University

14

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #14 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. About 65% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire awarded about 23 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $44,207 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,000. See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

15
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University landed the #15 spot for geology & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public university. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 18 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Michigan State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Michigan State University earn around $39,997 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,869 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Michigan State University

16

Illinois State University earned the #16 position for geology & earth sciences this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $21,896 in student loans. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Illinois State University

17

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. There were roughly 19 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of $42,932 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

18

University Of Akron Main Campus earned the #18 position for geology & earth sciences this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. About 52% of students finish within six years. University Of Akron Main Campus awarded about 20 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $39,678 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of Akron Main Campus

19

Kent State University At Kent placed #19 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. The six-year graduation rate is 64%. Kent State University At Kent awarded about 14 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $40,005 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Kent State University At Kent

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Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 19 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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