by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geological And Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where geological and earth sciences graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send geological and earth sciences graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked California State University Sacramento the top school for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings in the United States. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from California State University Sacramento make a median of around $81,480 per year.
Lehigh University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Lehigh University typically earn about $80,740 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Union College New York earned it the #3 place for geological and earth sciences. Located in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,195.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #4. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Berkeley typically earn about $74,453 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at University Of Houston, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Houston earn a median of about $71,224 a year early in their careers.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University make a median of around $68,645 per year.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Georgia typically earn about $67,486 annually.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #8 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of about $65,491 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University landed the #9 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Florida State University typically earn about $63,830 annually.
Pacific Lutheran University earned the #10 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Tacoma, Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Pacific Lutheran University earn a median of about $63,740 a year early in their careers.
Georgia Southern University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Georgia Southern University is a public school located in the town of Statesboro. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,838.
Temple University placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Temple University typically earn about $61,968 annually.
Eastern Washington University landed the #13 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Eastern Washington University typically earn about $61,402 annually.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Located in the suburb of West Chester, West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,088.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #15 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of about $60,999 a year early in their careers.
The University Of Alabama placed #16 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of Tuscaloosa, The University Of Alabama is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from The University Of Alabama make a median of around $60,104 per year.
Sam Houston State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Sam Houston State University make a median of around $56,612 per year.
Texas A And M University College Station earned the #18 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Texas A And M University College Station make a median of around $72,906 per year.
University Of Wyoming earned the #19 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming typically earn about $71,082 annually.
Central Washington University earned the #20 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Central Washington University is a public school located in the town of Ellensburg. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Central Washington University typically earn about $55,728 annually.
The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin came in at #21 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Odessa, The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from The University Of Texas Of The Permian Basin make a median of around $55,699 per year.
Suny College At Oneonta earned the #22 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Suny College At Oneonta is a public school located in the town of Oneonta. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta typically earn about $55,666 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #23 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $72,711 a year early in their careers.
Idaho State University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Idaho State University is a public school located in the city of Pocatello. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Idaho State University earn a median of about $54,944 a year early in their careers.
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Colorado State University Fort Collins make a median of around $75,612 per year.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s highest-paid geological and earth sciences ranking:
Explore the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries geological and earth sciences graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
