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.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 5 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 East Carolina University, our #1 for geological and earth sciences graduate salaries in North Carolina. East Carolina University is a public school located in the city of Greenville. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $68,235.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of about $54,869 a year early in their careers.
University Of North Carolina At Wilmington produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington is a public school located in the city of Wilmington. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $51,481.
Appalachian State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geological and earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Geological And Earth Sciences graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $52,194 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at North Carolina State University At Raleigh earned it the #5 place for geological and earth sciences. Located in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Students who complete the geological and earth sciences program here go on to a median salary of roughly $38,871.
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 · 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.