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. The highest-paying schools turn a geological and earth sciences degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 21 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.
Leading the list is Lehigh University, our #1 for geological and earth sciences graduate salaries in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of Bethlehem, Lehigh University is a private not-for-profit institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Lehigh University earn a median of about $80,740 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at Union College New York, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Schenectady, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Union College New York typically earn about $75,195 annually.
Temple University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Temple University earn a median of about $61,968 a year early in their careers.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set 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.
Suny College At Oneonta came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Oneonta, Suny College At Oneonta is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Suny College At Oneonta typically earn about $55,666 annually.
Kean University came in at #6 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Union, Kean University is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,295.
University At Buffalo came in at #7 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. University At Buffalo is a public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $64,138.
Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania earned the #8 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Slippery Rock. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,323.
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #9 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New Brunswick, Rutgers University New Brunswick is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Rutgers University New Brunswick earn a median of about $47,045 a year early in their careers.
Rutgers University Newark ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Newark, Rutgers University Newark is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,045.
University Of Pittsburgh Bradford ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Bradford, University Of Pittsburgh Bradford is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Bradford typically earn about $59,465 annually.
University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown landed the #12 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown is a public school located in the suburb of Johnstown. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Johnstown earn a median of about $59,465 a year early in their careers.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus typically earn about $59,465 annually.
State University Of New York At New Paltz ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. State University Of New York At New Paltz is a public school located in the town of New Paltz. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from State University Of New York At New Paltz typically earn about $56,558 annually.
Suny College At Buffalo landed the #15 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Suny College At Buffalo make a median of around $46,453 per year.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania landed the #16 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the town of Kutztown. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania typically earn about $71,514 annually.
Suny College At Brockport ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Brockport, Suny College At Brockport is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $55,263.
Montclair State University came in at #18 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Montclair State University earn a median of about $43,985 a year early in their careers.
Columbia University In The City Of New York earned the #19 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of New York, Columbia University In The City Of New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Columbia University In The City Of New York make a median of around $34,658 per year.
Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus landed the #20 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the town of Indiana, Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Indiana University Of Pennsylvania Main Campus make a median of around $34,617 per year.
Suny At Geneseo ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Geneseo, Suny At Geneseo is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Suny At Geneseo make a median of around $27,395 per year.
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 · 21 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.