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2023 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences

140 Ranked Colleges
734 Degrees Awarded
$56,185 Avg Salary
Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major

Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. One of our goals at College Factual is to give you as much information as we can - such as our “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major” ranking - to help you make that decision.

Geological & Earth Sciences is the 95th most popular major in the country with 7,821 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, geological and earth sciences graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,705 and had an average of $23,383 in loans still to pay off.

At the doctor’s degree level specifically, there were 734 geological and earth sciences graduates with average earnings and debt of $75,260 and $0 respectively.

For this year’s “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major” ranking, we looked at 140 colleges that offer a degree in geological and earth sciences. This a ranking of the schools where the largest percentage of students has enrolled in geological and earth sciences.

For more information, check out our ranking methodology.

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Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major” list, to help you choose the best school for you.

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Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major

The following schools top our list of the Best “Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major”.

Top 25 Most Focused Doctor’s Degree Colleges for Geological & Earth Sciences

1

Out of the 140 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major that were part of this year’s ranking, California Institute of Technology landed the #1 spot on the list. Located in Pasadena, California, this small private not-for-profit school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at California Institute of Technology

2

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. The school came in at #2 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major. This small school is located in Socorro, New Mexico, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 8 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at New Mexico Tech

3
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, California

Out of the 140 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major that were part of this year’s ranking, Stanford University landed the #3 spot on the list. Stanford is a fairly large school located in Stanford, California that handed out 29 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.5% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The impressive undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1 means that students may have more opportunities to work more closely with their professors than they would at other schools. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Stanford

4
The Graduate Center crest
The Graduate Center, CUNY
New York, New York

Out of the 140 schools in the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major that were part of this year’s ranking, The Graduate Center, CUNY landed the #4 spot on the list. New York, New York is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full The Graduate Center Geological & Earth Sciences Report

5

You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Alaska Fairbanks. The school came in at #5 for the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major. University of Alaska Fairbanks is a medium-sized public school situated in Fairbanks, Alaska. It awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Full University of Alaska Fairbanks Geological & Earth Sciences Report

6
Mines crest
Colorado School of Mines
Golden, Colorado

Colorado School of Mines did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking, coming in at #6. Colorado School of Mines is located in Golden, Colorado and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 92%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Colorado School of Mines

7
MIT crest
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts

Massachusetts Institute of Technology did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking, coming in at #7. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 98%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 3 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

8
UW crest
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming

University of Wyoming came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. University of Wyoming is a fairly large school located in Laramie, Wyoming that handed out 9 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full UW Geological & Earth Sciences Report

9
UH crest
University of Houston
Houston, Texas

University of Houston landed the #9 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. Houston, Texas is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 31 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Houston

10
U Miami crest
University of Miami
Coral Gables, Florida

University of Miami ranked #10 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. Coral Gables, Florida is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Miami

11

Missouri University of Science and Technology came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. This medium-sized school is located in Rolla, Missouri, and it awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.

Full Missouri University of Science and Technology Geological & Earth Sciences Report

12
Rice crest
Rice University
Houston, Texas

Rice University landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. Rice University is located in Houston, Texas and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 6 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Rice University

13
URI crest
University of Rhode Island
Kingston, Rhode Island

With a ranking of #13, University of Rhode Island did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. University of Rhode Island is a fairly large public school situated in Kingston, Rhode Island. It awarded 9 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Rhode Island Geological & Earth Sciences Report

14

University of California - San Diego landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. UCSD is a public institution located in La Jolla, California. The school has a large population, and it awarded 22 doctorate’s degrees in 2020-2021.

With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Full University of California - San Diego Geological & Earth Sciences Report

15

With a ranking of #15, University of Hawaii at Manoa did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. Honolulu, Hawaii is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UH Manoa

16

Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College ranked #16 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. Louisiana State University is a large public school situated in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It awarded 12 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Louisiana State University

17

University of California - Santa Cruz landed the #17 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. This fairly large school is located in Santa Cruz, California, and it awarded 10 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full UC Santa Cruz Geological & Earth Sciences Report

18

With a ranking of #18, University of Oklahoma Norman Campus did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. Located in Norman, Oklahoma, this large public school handed out 12 degrees to qualified doctorate’s geology students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.

Full University of Oklahoma Geological & Earth Sciences Report

19

University of Nevada - Reno ranked #19 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. Reno, Nevada is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at UNR

20

Columbia University in the City of New York ranked #20 on this year’s Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. Columbia University in the City of New York is a large private not-for-profit school situated in New York, New York. It awarded 21 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 95%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.

Read full report on Geological & Earth Sciences at Columbia

21
Princeton crest
Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey

Princeton University landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. Princeton University is located in Princeton, New Jersey and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 4 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.

Full Princeton Geological & Earth Sciences Report

22
Lehigh crest
Lehigh University
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

With a ranking of #22, Lehigh University did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. This medium-sized school is located in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and it awarded 3 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at Lehigh

23

University of Colorado Boulder did quite well in the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking, coming in at #23. CU - Boulder is located in Boulder, Colorado and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 13 doctorate’s geology degrees to qualified students.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.4% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Read more about Geological & Earth Sciences at University of Colorado Boulder

24
UChicago crest
University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois

University of Chicago landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major ranking. Chicago, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out doctorate’s geology degrees to 9 students in 2020-2021.

Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.

Full UChicago Geological & Earth Sciences Report

25
UO crest
University of Oregon
Eugene, Oregon

With a ranking of #25, University of Oregon did quite well on the 2023 Schools for a Doctorate Highly Focused on Geology Major list. UO is a large public school situated in Eugene, Oregon. It awarded 8 doctorate’s geology degrees in 2020-2021.

The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.1% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.

Full University of Oregon Geological & Earth Sciences Report

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