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 6 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.
Colorado School Of Mines tops our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools in Colorado. Located in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Early-career geological and earth sciences graduates from Colorado School Of Mines make a median of around $99,218 per year.
Strong graduate earnings at Colorado State University Fort Collins earned it the #2 place for geological and earth sciences. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school located in the city of Fort Collins. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from Colorado State University Fort Collins typically earn about $75,612 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of Colorado Boulder earned it the #3 place for geological and earth sciences. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a public institution. After graduating, geological and earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder typically earn about $61,825 annually.
Fort Lewis College came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Located 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.
Students chasing top earnings in geological and earth sciences will find them at University Of Northern Colorado, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of about $46,954 a year early in their careers.
Western State College Of Colorado ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geological and earth sciences schools. Western State College Of Colorado is a public school located in the town of Gunnison. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $45,525.
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 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.