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 23 schools to find where geological and earth sciences graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose geological and earth sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
California State University Sacramento tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools in the Far Western Region. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $81,480.
University Of California Berkeley produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. University Of California Berkeley is a public school located in the city of Berkeley. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of about $74,453 a year early in their careers.
Pacific Lutheran University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Pacific Lutheran University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Tacoma. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $63,740.
Strong graduate earnings at Eastern Washington University earned it the #4 place for geological and earth sciences. Eastern Washington University is a public school located in the town of Cheney. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Eastern Washington University typically earn about $61,402 annually.
Central Washington University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Ellensburg, Central Washington University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Central Washington University typically earn about $55,728 annually.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #6 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of California Santa Cruz make a median of around $72,711 per year.
California State University Fullerton placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $79,103.
University Of California Davis ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of about $66,050 a year early in their careers.
University Of California Irvine earned the #9 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of California Irvine is a public school located in the city of Irvine. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of about $71,246 a year early in their careers.
Oregon State University placed #10 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,728.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #11 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from California State Polytechnic University Pomona make a median of around $49,406 per year.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #12 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo typically earn about $48,489 annually.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #13 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of California Santa Barbara make a median of around $71,720 per year.
Washington State University landed the #14 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Located in the town of Pullman, Washington State University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Washington State University typically earn about $65,534 annually.
Portland State University came in at #15 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Portland State University is a public school located in the city of Portland. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Portland State University earn a median of about $58,152 a year early in their careers.
Western Washington University landed the #16 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Western Washington University make a median of around $56,680 per year.
University Of Nevada Las Vegas ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Las Vegas, University Of Nevada Las Vegas is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Las Vegas typically earn about $44,011 annually.
University Of Washington Bothell Campus came in at #18 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Bothell, University Of Washington Bothell Campus is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of Washington Bothell Campus make a median of around $61,331 per year.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of Washington Seattle Campus make a median of around $61,331 per year.
San Diego State University ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from San Diego State University typically earn about $41,351 annually.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nevada Reno typically earn about $39,553 annually.
Humboldt State University landed the #22 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Humboldt State University is a public school located in the town of Arcata. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Humboldt State University make a median of around $48,634 per year.
University Of California Riverside came in at #23 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Riverside, University Of California Riverside is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Riverside earn a median of about $22,998 a year early in their careers.
The ranking above is published 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 · 23 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.
