2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in North Carolina
Geological & Earth Sciences degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
College Factual analyzed 10 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best geological & earth sciences schools.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in North Carolina
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
Leading the list is University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, our #1 school for geological & earth sciences. This very large public university is located in the city of Chapel Hill. About 91% of students finish within six years. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill awarded about 32 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn around $61,361 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete this degree.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
North Carolina State University At Raleigh is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #2. This very large public university is located in the city of Raleigh. About 85% of students finish within six years. About 33 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at North Carolina State University At Raleigh in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $38,871. Typical student debt for the program is $22,234.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for North Carolina State University At Raleigh
East Carolina University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Greenville. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. East Carolina University awarded about 21 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of East Carolina University earn a median of $44,961 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for East Carolina University
Appalachian State University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #4 spot this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. About 22 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Appalachian State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Appalachian State University earn around $35,021 in the first couple years of their career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $22,853 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Appalachian State University
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of North Carolina At Wilmington, which ranked #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Wilmington. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington graduates 71% of students within six years. University Of North Carolina At Wilmington awarded about 50 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington earn around $38,459 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of North Carolina At Wilmington
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte came in at #6 for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 65 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte in the most recent year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn around $37,717 in the first couple years of their career. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte graduates carry a median of $24,897 in student loans.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of North Carolina At Charlotte
Western Carolina University earned the #7 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Western Carolina University is a large public school located in the town of Cullowhee. About 60% of students finish within six years. Western Carolina University awarded about 11 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Western Carolina University generally make around $44,926. Typical student debt for the program is $24,174.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Western Carolina University
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 10 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.