2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
Geological & Earth Sciences programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geological & earth sciences programs.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 42 schools to find the best for geological & earth sciences students.
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Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geological & earth sciences education in the Rocky Mountains Region.
Top Schools in Geological & Earth Sciences
University Of Utah tops our 2026 ranking of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 45 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Utah in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $49,446 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,798.
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A rank of #2 makes Colorado College one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Colorado Springs, Colorado College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Colorado College graduates 88% of students within six years. About 10 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Colorado College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Colorado College generally make around $37,342. Colorado College graduates carry a median of $17,921 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Colorado College
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 50% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Brigham Young University Idaho in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Brigham Young University Idaho graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans.
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Colorado School Of Mines is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Golden, Colorado School Of Mines is a moderately-sized public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 47 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Colorado School Of Mines in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Colorado School Of Mines earn around $79,523 in the first couple years of their career. Colorado School Of Mines graduates carry a median of $24,521 in student loans.
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Colorado State University Fort Collins is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #5. Located in the city of Fort Collins, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a very large public university. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Colorado State University Fort Collins awarded about 36 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $41,158 in their early career. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates carry a median of $26,028 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Colorado State University Fort Collins
University Of Colorado Boulder ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. University Of Colorado Boulder awarded about 43 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Colorado Boulder generally make around $46,263. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Colorado Boulder
University Of Wyoming ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. About 59% of students finish within six years. About 36 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Wyoming in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Wyoming earn around $45,758 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Wyoming graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans.
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Southern Utah University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Southern Utah University is a very large public school located in the town of Cedar City. The six-year graduation rate is 50%. Southern Utah University awarded about 12 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Southern Utah University earn around $44,998 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $12,886.
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University Of Northern Colorado landed the #9 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 51%. About 17 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Northern Colorado in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Northern Colorado generally make around $46,954. Typical student debt for the program is $26,000.
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Utah State University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. The six-year graduation rate is 57%. Utah State University awarded about 23 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $50,348 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $16,191.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Utah State University
Boise State University earned the #11 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Boise State University is a very large public school located in the city of Boise. The six-year graduation rate is 59%. Boise State University awarded about 35 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Boise State University earn around $31,701 in the first couple years of their career. Boise State University graduates carry a median of $27,299 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Boise State University
Montana State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This large public university is located in the city of Bozeman. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 64 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Montana State University in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $29,030 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete this degree.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 42 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.