Geological & Earth Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 185 schools to find the best for geological & earth sciences students.
Choosing a Great Geological & Earth Sciences School
The geological & earth sciences program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools list, to help you decide. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geological & earth sciences degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Stanford University the best school in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of Stanford, Stanford University is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. Stanford University awarded about 93 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $100,827 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Philadelphia. University Of Pennsylvania graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Pennsylvania
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of California Berkeley, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Berkeley. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 31 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Berkeley in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Berkeley earn a median of $70,847 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $14,238.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of California Berkeley
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at Brown University, which ranked #4. Brown University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Providence. Brown University graduates 96% of students within six years. There were roughly 29 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Brown University in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Brown University earn a median of $62,820 early in their careers. Brown University graduates carry a median of $13,025 in student loans.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Brown University
A rank of #5 makes Boston University one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Boston, Boston University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Boston University graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 20 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Boston University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $63,598 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,232 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Boston University
Dartmouth College landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Hanover. Dartmouth College graduates 96% of students within six years. About 32 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Dartmouth College in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $81,992 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Dartmouth College
Yale University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of New Haven, Yale University is a large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 29 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Yale University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Yale University earn around $74,578 in the first couple years of their career. Yale University graduates carry a median of $14,357 in student loans.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Yale University
Stony Brook University placed #8 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the suburb of Stony Brook, Stony Brook University is a very large public institution. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 23 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Stony Brook University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Stony Brook University generally make around $60,047. Stony Brook University graduates carry a median of $20,537 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Stony Brook University
University Of California Irvine placed #9 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Irvine, University Of California Irvine is a very large public university. Roughly 87% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 60 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Irvine in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of California Irvine generally make around $38,804. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California Irvine
San Jose State University earned the #10 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of San Jose, San Jose State University is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 16 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at San Jose State University in the most recent year.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for San Jose State University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo came in at #11 for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of San Luis Obispo, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. About 30 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo generally make around $48,489. Typical student debt for the program is $15,000.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Bowdoin College ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Brunswick, Bowdoin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Bowdoin College graduates 95% of students within six years. About 24 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Bowdoin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Bowdoin College generally make around $58,938. Typical student debt for the program is $20,658.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Bowdoin College
Lafayette College earned the #13 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Easton. Roughly 88% of students complete a degree within six years here. Lafayette College awarded about 13 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Lafayette College earn a median of $59,513 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,931 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Lafayette College
University Of Miami placed #14 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Miami is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Coral Gables. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Miami awarded about 31 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $57,234 in their early career. University Of Miami graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Miami
Michigan Technological University earned the #15 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. Roughly 68% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 34 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Michigan Technological University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Michigan Technological University generally make around $64,652. Typical student debt for the program is $25,800.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Michigan Technological University
University Of California Davis came in at #16 for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Davis in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of California Davis earn a median of $43,462 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,416 to complete this degree.
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Massachusetts Institute Of Technology placed #17 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Cambridge, Massachusetts Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 39 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Massachusetts Institute Of Technology in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Massachusetts Institute Of Technology earn around $113,129 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,516.
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Arizona State University placed #18 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. About 68% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 25 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Arizona State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $55,876. Arizona State University graduates carry a median of $21,842 in student loans.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Arizona State University
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. University Of California Los Angeles graduates 93% of students within six years. There were roughly 27 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $63,833 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Maryland College Park awarded about 19 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $57,901 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,836.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Maryland College Park
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. About 39 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $44,825 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $21,700.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #22 for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. About 84% of students finish within six years. Texas A And M University College Station awarded about 134 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $57,562 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,837.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Texas A And M University College Station
Bates College earned the #23 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Lewiston, Bates College is a small private not-for-profit institution. Bates College graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 15 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Bates College in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $43,933 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,226.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Bates College
Rutgers University New Brunswick earned the #24 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Rutgers University New Brunswick is a very large public school located in the city of New Brunswick. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Rutgers University New Brunswick awarded about 30 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Rutgers University New Brunswick earn around $47,045 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,830 to complete this degree.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Rutgers University New Brunswick
Hamilton College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This mid-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Clinton. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. About 12 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Hamilton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Hamilton College generally make around $48,806. Students borrow a median of $16,131 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Hamilton College
Rest of the Top 50 Geological & Earth Sciences Schools
These schools also placed among the best for geological & earth sciences this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 185 schools evaluated.
The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
