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2024 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools

180 Colleges in the United States
5,119 Bachelor's Degrees
$36,471 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on getting your bachelor's degree in geological & earth sciences, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #80 in the country in terms of popularity. As a result, there are many college that offer the degree, making your choice of school a hard one.

In 2024, College Factual analyzed 180 schools in order to identify the top ones for its Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 5,119 bachelor's degrees in geological & earth sciences during the 2020-2021 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Our Methodology

Choosing a Great Geological & Earth Sciences School for Your Bachelor's Degree

Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools Your choice of geological & earth sciences for getting your bachelor's degree school matters. This section explores some of the factors we include in our ranking and how much they vary depending on the school you select. To make it into this list, a school must excel in the following areas.

A Great Overall School

A school that excels in educating for a particular major and degree level must be a great school overall as well. To make it into this list a school must rank well in our overall Best Colleges ranking. This ranking considered factors such as graduation rates, overall graduate earnings and other educational resources to identify great colleges and universities.

Early-Career Earnings

One measure we use to determine the quality of a school is to look at the average salary of bachelor's graduates during the early years of their career. That is, everyone wants their bachelor's degree to be worth something, and salaries are one measure of determining that.

Other Factors We Consider

In addition to the above, you should consider some of the following factors:

Our complete ranking methodology documents in more detail how we consider these factors to identify the best colleges for geological & earth sciences students working on their bachelor's degree.

One Size Does Not Fit All

Rankings by Location Check Out Other Locales
More Geology Rankings Other Ranking Categories

Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we've developed a number of rankings, including this Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools list, to help you choose the best school for you.

In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.

Best Schools for Bachelor’s Students to Study Geological & Earth Sciences in the United States

Below you'll see a list of the best colleges and universities for pursuing a bachelor's degree in geological & earth sciences. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools for a Bachelor's in Geology

1
Stanford crest
Stanford University
Stanford, CA
33 Annual Graduates

It is difficult to beat Stanford University if you wish to pursue a bachelor's degree in geological & earth sciences. Stanford is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the suburb of Stanford.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Stanford University

2
69 Annual Graduates
$44,059 Median Starting Salary
$20,837 Median Student Debt

Texas A&M University - College Station is a good option for students pursuing a bachelor's degree in geological & earth sciences. Located in the midsize city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those geological & earth sciences students who get their bachelor's degree from Texas A&M University - College Station receive $7,588 more than the typical geology grad.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Texas A&M University - College Station

3
21 Annual Graduates
$48,555 Median Starting Salary
$16,487 Median Student Debt

The University of Texas at Austin is a great choice for individuals pursuing a bachelor's degree in geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a very large student population.

Geological & Earth Sciences bachelor's degree recipients from The University of Texas at Austin receive an earnings boost of approximately $12,084 over the average income of geological & earth sciences graduates.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from The University of Texas at Austin

4
88 Annual Graduates
$38,071 Median Starting Salary
$20,500 Median Student Debt

University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a great choice for individuals interested in a bachelor's degree in geological & earth sciences. Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a very large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the geology program report average early career wages of $38,071.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

5
11 Annual Graduates

Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Northwestern University

5
34 Annual Graduates

UC Berkeley is a fairly large public university located in the medium-sized city of Berkeley.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Berkeley

6
45 Annual Graduates
$36,796 Median Starting Salary
$21,800 Median Student Debt

Located in the midsize suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a very large student population.

Bachelor's graduates who receive their degree from the geology program make about $36,796 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Santa Barbara

7

Located in the large city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the geology program earn an average of $25,210 for their early career.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Los Angeles

8
6 Annual Graduates

Located in the city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Chicago

9
37 Annual Graduates
$39,352 Median Starting Salary
$25,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Geological & Earth Sciences bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wisconsin - Madison get an earnings boost of around $2,881 above the typical income of geological & earth sciences majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Wisconsin - Madison

10
38 Annual Graduates
$39,259 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Tucson, University of Arizona is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Those geological & earth sciences students who get their bachelor's degree from University of Arizona receive $2,788 more than the typical geology student.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Arizona

11
48 Annual Graduates
$33,679 Median Starting Salary
$17,875 Median Student Debt

U-M is a very large public university located in the city of Ann Arbor.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the geology program report average early career earnings of $33,679.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

12
68 Annual Graduates
$35,586 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

Located in the large city of Pittsburgh, Pitt is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the geology program state that they receive average early career income of $35,586.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus

13
11 Annual Graduates
$23,250 Median Student Debt

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

14
48 Annual Graduates
$27,905 Median Starting Salary
$15,000 Median Student Debt

UC Irvine is a very large public university located in the large city of Irvine.

Bachelor's students who receive their degree from the geology program make around $27,905 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Irvine

15
15 Annual Graduates
$33,505 Median Starting Salary
$16,000 Median Student Debt

Purdue is a very large public university located in the city of West Lafayette.

After graduating, geology bachelor's recipients generally make around $33,505 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Purdue University - Main Campus

15
11 Annual Graduates

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Baltimore.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Johns Hopkins University

16
15 Annual Graduates

Cornell is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Ithaca.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Cornell University

17
20 Annual Graduates
$37,564 Median Starting Salary
$21,700 Median Student Debt

Located in the city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the geology program report average early career income of $37,564.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

18
26 Annual Graduates
$45,124 Median Starting Salary
$23,700 Median Student Debt

UW is a large public university located in the town of Laramie.

Geological & Earth Sciences bachelor's degree recipients from University of Wyoming get an earnings boost of approximately $8,653 above the typical income of geological & earth sciences majors.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Wyoming

19
12 Annual Graduates

Located in the suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of Connecticut

20
15 Annual Graduates

UCSD is a fairly large public university located in the large city of La Jolla.More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - San Diego

21
44 Annual Graduates
$36,107 Median Starting Salary
$20,833 Median Student Debt

UC Santa Cruz is a large public university located in the city of Santa Cruz.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the geology program state that they receive average early career wages of $36,107.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Santa Cruz

22
10 Annual Graduates
$34,649 Median Starting Salary
$26,000 Median Student Debt

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the large city of Columbus.

Students who graduate with their bachelor's from the geology program report average early career earnings of $34,649.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from Ohio State University - Main Campus

23
23 Annual Graduates
$35,137 Median Starting Salary
$16,416 Median Student Debt

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population.

Soon after graduating, geology bachelor's recipients usually earn about $35,137 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a bachelor’s in geological & earth sciences from University of California - Davis

Rest of the Top Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools

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27

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Geological & Earth Sciences students that almost earned our Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools award.

Rank College Location
28 University of Florida Gainesville, FL
29 University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT
30 University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NV
31 University of Houston Houston, TX
32 Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OH
33 Iowa State University Ames, IA
34 University of Delaware Newark, DE
35 University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO
36 Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, CO

Geological & Earth Sciences by Region

View the Best Geological & Earth Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

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Geological & Earth Sciences is one of 8 different types of Physical Sciences programs to choose from.

Geology Focus Areas

Major Annual Graduates
Geology & Earth Sciences 4,249
Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences 502
Chemical & Physical Oceanography 207
Geophysics & Seismology 89
Hydrology & Water Resources Science 45
Geochemistry 25
Paleontology 2

Majors Similar to Geology

Related Major Annual Graduates
Chemistry 14,951
Physics 8,290
Astronomy & Astrophysics 979
Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology 755
General Physical Sciences 320
Other Physical Science 274
Materials Sciences 203
Physics and Astronomy 15

Notes and References

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