2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the Southwest Region
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.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 67 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geological & earth sciences students pursuing a degree.
What’s on this page:
Best Schools for Geological & Earth Sciences in the Southwest 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
Our analysis ranked The University Of Texas At Austin the best school in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 77 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At Austin in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from The University Of Texas At Austin generally make around $42,062. Typical student debt for the program is $16,487.
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Texas A And M University College Station came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 112 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $57,562 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,837.
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A rank of #3 makes University Of Houston one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston is a very large public university. University Of Houston graduates 65% of students within six years. University Of Houston awarded about 74 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Houston generally make around $89,896. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Houston
Oklahoma State University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the town of Stillwater, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Oklahoma State University Main Campus awarded about 17 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Oklahoma State University Main Campus earn around $50,993 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Arizona, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. University Of Arizona awarded about 90 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $51,943 early in their careers. University Of Arizona graduates carry a median of $26,000 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At Dallas landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Richardson, The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. The University Of Texas At Dallas awarded about 21 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $65,546 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,500.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from The University Of Texas At Dallas
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #7 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. About 75% of students finish within six years. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus awarded about 30 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earn a median of $86,497 early in their careers. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus graduates carry a median of $29,250 in student loans.
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Texas Tech University placed #8 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas Tech University awarded about 33 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $49,727 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans.
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The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #9 for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. About 53% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 38 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at The University Of Texas At San Antonio in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $42,779 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $18,969.
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Stephen F Austin State University placed #10 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Stephen F Austin State University graduates 53% of students within six years. There were roughly 18 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Stephen F Austin State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $42,197 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Stephen F Austin State University
University Of Houston Downtown placed #11 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Houston, University Of Houston Downtown is a large public university. Roughly 33% of students complete a degree within six years here. University Of Houston Downtown awarded about 17 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $50,894 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,250.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Houston Downtown
Northern Arizona University earned the #12 position for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 25 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $42,528. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #13 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 54%. There were roughly 28 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of New Mexico Main Campus in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $49,983 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,738 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of New Mexico Main Campus
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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 · 67 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.