by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geological And Earth Sciences](/majors/physical-sciences/geological-and-earth-sciences/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. A top-earning program sends graduates into careers with strong starting pay.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 14 schools on the early-career earnings of their geological and earth sciences graduates.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose geological and earth sciences graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked Brigham Young University Provo the top school for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,491.
A rank of #2 makes Brigham Young University Idaho one of the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. Brigham Young University Idaho is a private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho typically earn about $60,999 annually.
University Of Wyoming came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. University Of Wyoming is a public school located in the town of Laramie. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wyoming typically earn about $71,082 annually.
Idaho State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Pocatello, Idaho State University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Idaho State University typically earn about $54,944 annually.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at Colorado State University Fort Collins, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $75,612.
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #6 among the highest-paying schools for geological and earth sciences. University Of Colorado Boulder is a public school located in the city of Boulder. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $61,825 annually.
University Of Idaho earned the #7 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Idaho is a public school located in the town of Moscow. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,021.
Fort Lewis College came in at #8 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Fort Lewis College make a median of around $49,889 per year.
University Of Utah earned the #9 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Utah is a public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of about $49,446 a year early in their careers.
Weber State University came in at #10 for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Weber State University typically earn about $47,998 annually.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #11 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. University Of Northern Colorado is a public school located in the city of Greeley. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $46,954.
Western State College Of Colorado earned the #12 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Western State College Of Colorado is a public school located in the town of Gunnison. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Western State College Of Colorado make a median of around $45,525 per year.
Boise State University landed the #13 spot for geological and earth sciences salaries this year. Set in the city of Boise, Boise State University is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Boise State University make a median of around $58,595 per year.
Montana State University earned the #14 position for geological and earth sciences graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Bozeman, Montana State University is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $50,960.
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 · 14 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.