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2027 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Great Lakes Region

21 Colleges in the United States
613 Geological & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$43,017 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geological & Earth Sciences is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geological & earth sciences programs.

To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools to find the best for geological & earth sciences students.

What’s on this page:

Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Great Lakes Region

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.

Top Schools in Geological & Earth Sciences

1

Michigan Technological University is one of the finest schools in the country for getting a degree in geological & earth sciences. Set in the town of Houghton, Michigan Technological University is a moderately-sized public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Michigan Technological University awarded about 34 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $64,652 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $25,800 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Michigan Technological University

2

A rank of #2 makes University Of Michigan Ann Arbor one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor awarded about 80 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Michigan Ann Arbor generally make around $45,974. Typical student debt for the program is $17,875. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Michigan Ann Arbor

3

University Of Wisconsin Madison is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #3. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 29 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $43,068. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Wisconsin Madison

4

A rank of #4 makes Augustana College Illinois one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Rock Island, Augustana College Illinois is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Augustana College Illinois graduates 73% of students within six years. There were roughly 12 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Augustana College Illinois in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Augustana College Illinois earn a median of $39,096 early in their careers. Augustana College Illinois graduates carry a median of $26,764 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Augustana College Illinois

5
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Purdue University Main Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #5 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the city of West Lafayette. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 61 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Purdue University Main Campus earn around $39,692 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,000. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Purdue University Main Campus

6

Ohio University Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 65%. Ohio University Main Campus awarded about 52 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Ohio University Main Campus earn around $38,637 in the first couple years of their career. Ohio University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Ohio University Main Campus

7

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #7 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 19 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $58,659 in their early career. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

8
Oberlin College crest
Oberlin College
Oberlin, OH

Oberlin College placed #8 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Oberlin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the town of Oberlin. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 14 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Oberlin College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Oberlin College generally make around $25,146. Oberlin College graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Oberlin College

9

Ohio State University Main Campus earned the #9 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 88% of students finish within six years. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 44 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Ohio State University Main Campus earn a median of $41,156 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Ohio State University Main Campus

10

Miami University Oxford ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. About 38 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $38,478 in their early career. Miami University Oxford graduates carry a median of $20,862 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Miami University Oxford

11

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #11 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Champaign. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. There were roughly 17 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $38,867 early in their careers. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign

12

University Of Illinois At Chicago ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Chicago. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 34 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Illinois At Chicago in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $37,280. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Illinois At Chicago

13

Northern Illinois University earned the #13 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Dekalb. Roughly 49% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 26 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Northern Illinois University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $52,308 in their early career. Northern Illinois University graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Northern Illinois University

14

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire came in at #14 for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn around $44,207 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,000 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire

15
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of East Lansing. Michigan State University graduates 81% of students within six years. About 18 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $39,997 in their early career. Michigan State University graduates carry a median of $29,869 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Michigan State University

16

Illinois State University earned the #16 position for geological & earth sciences this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 25 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $49,660 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $21,896 to complete this degree. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Illinois State University

17

University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Milwaukee, University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a very large public institution. About 53% of students finish within six years. About 19 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $42,932 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee

18

Grand Valley State University landed the #18 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. About 11 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Grand Valley State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $38,675 in their early career. Grand Valley State University graduates carry a median of $28,750 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Grand Valley State University

19

University Of Akron Main Campus came in at #19 for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Akron Main Campus is a large public school located in the city of Akron. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates 52% of students within six years. About 20 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Akron Main Campus in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Akron Main Campus generally make around $39,678. University Of Akron Main Campus graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Akron Main Campus

20

Kent State University At Kent placed #20 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kent. About 64% of students finish within six years. About 14 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Kent State University At Kent in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Kent State University At Kent earn around $40,005 in the first couple years of their career. Kent State University At Kent graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Kent State University At Kent

21

Bowling Green State University Main Campus earned the #21 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the town of Bowling Green, Bowling Green State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. About 61% of students finish within six years. About 23 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Bowling Green State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Bowling Green State University Main Campus earn around $45,196 in the first couple years of their career. Bowling Green State University Main Campus graduates carry a median of $25,449 in student loans. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Bowling Green State University Main Campus

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 21 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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