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. The schools below stand out for the salaries their geological and earth sciences graduates go on to command.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 13 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.
Our analysis ranked California State University Sacramento the top school for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings in California. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Sacramento typically earn about $81,480 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of California Berkeley one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of Berkeley, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of California Berkeley make a median of around $74,453 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of California Santa Cruz earned it the #3 place for geological and earth sciences. Located in the city of Santa Cruz, University Of California Santa Cruz is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $72,711.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Fullerton one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. California State University Fullerton is a public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fullerton typically earn about $79,103 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at University Of California Davis, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Davis typically earn about $66,050 annually.
University Of California Irvine came in at #6 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,246.
California State University Fresno landed the #7 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from California State University Fresno typically earn about $83,116 annually.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #8 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,406.
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo make a median of around $48,489 per year.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #10 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $71,720.
San Diego State University came in at #11 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. San Diego State University is a public school located in the city of San Diego. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of about $41,351 a year early in their careers.
Humboldt State University came in at #12 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Humboldt State University typically earn about $48,634 annually.
University Of California Riverside ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Set 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.
This ranking is produced 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 · 13 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.
