by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geological And Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose geological and earth sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #1 spot for highest-paid geological and earth sciences graduates in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison typically earn about $71,564 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee earn a median of about $67,218 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Located in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor make a median of around $55,772 per year.
A rank of #4 makes Michigan State University one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Michigan State University earn a median of about $61,145 a year early in their careers.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Akron Main Campus one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of Akron, University Of Akron Main Campus is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Akron Main Campus earn a median of about $60,028 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #6 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,031.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #7 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Ohio State University Main Campus is a public school located in the city of Columbus. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Ohio State University Main Campus make a median of around $50,483 per year.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Wright State University Main Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,092.
Miami University Oxford came in at #9 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Miami University Oxford typically earn about $53,128 annually.
Central Michigan University came in at #10 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $57,967 annually.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #11 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Kent State University At Kent is a public school located in the suburb of Kent. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent typically earn about $47,238 annually.
Purdue University Main Campus placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Purdue University Main Campus make a median of around $39,692 per year.
Wayne State University earned the #13 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Wayne State University earn a median of about $51,696 a year early in their careers.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #14 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public school located in the city of Champaign. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,867.
Grand Valley State University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Grand Valley State University is a public school located in the town of Allendale. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Grand Valley State University typically earn about $38,675 annually.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #16 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Ohio University Main Campus typically earn about $38,637 annually.
University Of Illinois At Chicago earned the #17 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public school located in the city of Chicago. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from University Of Illinois At Chicago make a median of around $37,280 per year.
The ranking above is published by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their geological and earth sciences graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 17 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.