2026 Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools in California

Geophysics & Seismology programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.

To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools to find the best for geophysics & seismology students.

What’s on this page:

• Best Geophysics & Seismology Schools in California

Best Schools for Geophysics & Seismology in California

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 geophysics & seismology degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Geophysics & Seismology

1

Stanford University
Stanford, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

16 Geophysics & Seismology Degrees Awarded

$100,827 Median Starting Salary

Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best geophysics & seismology schools. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Stanford. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 16 geophysics & seismology degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geophysics & seismology program make about $100,827 in their early career. Stanford University graduates carry a median of $10,492 in student loans. See the full geophysics & seismology program report for Stanford University

2

University Of California Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA

Doctoral Degree Highest Degree Type

13 Geophysics & Seismology Degrees Awarded

$63,833 Median Starting Salary

University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geophysics & seismology, ranking #2. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of California Los Angeles awarded about 13 geophysics & seismology degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geophysics & seismology degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $63,833. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Get the full geophysics & seismology details for University Of California Los Angeles

Notes and References

This list is compiled 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 · 8 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.