2026 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
Geology & Earth Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geology & earth sciences programs.
College Factual analyzed 65 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best geology & earth sciences schools.
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Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geology & earth sciences education in the Southwest Region.
Top Schools in Geology & Earth Sciences
The University Of Texas At Austin is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in geology & earth sciences. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. About 70 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $42,062 early in their careers. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates carry a median of $16,487 in student loans.
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Texas A And M University College Station is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. There were roughly 65 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $57,562. Typical student debt for the program is $20,837.
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University Of Houston is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geology & earth sciences, ranking #3. Set in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 48 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Houston in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of $89,896 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geology & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Oklahoma State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $50,993 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
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Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. University Of Arizona graduates 68% of students within six years. There were roughly 68 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Arizona in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $51,943 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas came in at #6 for geology & earth sciences this year. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. About 76% of students finish within six years. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 21 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from The University Of Texas At Dallas earn around $65,546 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
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University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. There were roughly 17 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn around $86,497 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $29,250 to complete this degree.
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Texas Tech University placed #8 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public university. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 33 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from Texas Tech University earn around $49,727 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,750.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #9 for geology & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Antonio. The University Of Texas At San Antonio graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 22 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn around $42,779 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,969.
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Stephen F Austin State University placed #10 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 53%. About 18 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Stephen F Austin State University graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans.
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University Of Houston Downtown ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 17 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Houston Downtown in the most recent year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Houston Downtown earn around $50,894 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250.
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Northern Arizona University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 25 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Northern Arizona University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $42,528. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #13 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. University Of New Mexico Main Campus graduates 54% of students within six years. About 28 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $49,983. Typical student debt for the program is $19,738.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 65 schools evaluated.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.