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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the early-career earnings of their geological and earth sciences graduates.
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.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earned the #1 spot for highest-paid geological and earth sciences graduates in Michigan. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school located in the city of Ann Arbor. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,772.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at Michigan State University, which ranked #2. Michigan State University is a public school located in the city of East Lansing. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,145.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at Central Michigan University, which ranked #3. Central Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of about $57,967 a year early in their careers.
Wayne State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Detroit, Wayne State University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Wayne State University typically earn about $51,696 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Grand Valley State University one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. 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.
This list is compiled 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 · 5 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.