2027 Best Geology & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region
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 9 schools to find the best for geology & earth sciences students.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Geology & Earth Sciences in the The Plains States Region
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geology & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Geology & Earth Sciences
Leading the list is University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, our #1 school for geology & earth sciences. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 18 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $44,825 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
A rank of #2 makes Carleton College one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the town of Northfield. About 90% of students finish within six years. Carleton College awarded about 21 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $40,371. Students borrow a median of $17,566 to complete this degree.
See the full geology & earth sciences program report for Carleton College
Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at Macalester College, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. About 87% of students finish within six years. Macalester College awarded about 14 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of Macalester College earn a median of $42,517 early in their careers. Macalester College graduates carry a median of $22,147 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Macalester College
Students looking for a strong geology & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #4. This very large public university is located in the city of Columbia. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. About 23 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Geology & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Missouri Columbia earn a median of $53,134 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
Get the full geology & earth sciences details for University Of Missouri Columbia
A rank of #5 makes Fort Hays State University one of the top schools for geology & earth sciences. Set in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public institution. Roughly 46% of students complete a degree within six years here. Fort Hays State University awarded about 34 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Fort Hays State University generally make around $43,421. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875.
Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Fort Hays State University
University Of Iowa placed #6 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Iowa City. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Iowa awarded about 19 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geology & earth sciences degree from University Of Iowa earn around $57,375 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Iowa graduates carry a median of $24,463 in student loans.
Read more about the geology & earth sciences program at University Of Iowa
University Of Kansas placed #7 among the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. University Of Kansas awarded about 24 geology & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $41,626 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete this degree.
See the full geology & earth sciences program report for University Of Kansas
Missouri State University Springfield ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Roughly 58% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 geology & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geology & earth sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,481. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geology & earth sciences from Missouri State University Springfield
Winona State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best geology & earth sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 geology & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geology & earth sciences program make about $36,984 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
Get the full geology & earth sciences details for Winona State University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 9 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.
