2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in Virginia
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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 8 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geological & earth sciences students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in Virginia
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geological & earth sciences education in Virginia.
Top Schools in Geological & Earth Sciences
College Of William And Mary tops our 2026 ranking of the best geological & earth sciences schools. This large public university is located in the suburb of Williamsburg. College Of William And Mary graduates 89% of students within six years. About 17 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at College Of William And Mary in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from College Of William And Mary generally make around $53,338. Typical student debt for the program is $18,935.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from College Of William And Mary
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. About 38 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $60,004 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,393 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at James Madison University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public university. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 21 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at James Madison University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from James Madison University earn around $48,118 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,375 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for James Madison University
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #4. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. George Mason University awarded about 22 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $63,131 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,529 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for George Mason University
Old Dominion University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #5. This very large public university is located in the city of Norfolk. Old Dominion University graduates 46% of students within six years. About 29 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Old Dominion University in the most recent year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $26,001.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Old Dominion University
More Geological & Earth Sciences Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 8 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.
