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2027 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States Region

9 Colleges in the United States
227 Geological & Earth Sciences Degrees Awarded
$43,859 Avg Early-Career Salary

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 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 9 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 The Plains States Region

Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geological & earth sciences education in the The Plains States Region.

Top Schools in Geological & Earth Sciences

1

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities tops our 2027 ranking of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $44,825 in their early career. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Minnesota Twin Cities

2
Carleton College crest
Carleton College
Northfield, MN

Carleton College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geological & earth sciences, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the town of Northfield, Carleton College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Carleton College graduates 90% of students within six years. About 21 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Carleton College in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Carleton College generally make around $40,371. Carleton College graduates carry a median of $17,566 in student loans. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Carleton College

3
Macalester College crest
Macalester College
Saint Paul, MN

Macalester College is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geological & earth sciences, ranking #3. Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Saint Paul. Macalester College graduates 87% of students within six years. Macalester College awarded about 14 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $42,517 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,147. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Macalester College

4

A rank of #4 makes University Of Missouri Columbia one of the top schools for geological & earth sciences. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. University Of Missouri Columbia awarded about 23 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Missouri Columbia earn around $53,134 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $21,818 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Missouri Columbia

5

Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at Fort Hays State University, which ranked #5. Fort Hays State University is a large public school located in the town of Hays. The six-year graduation rate is 46%. Fort Hays State University awarded about 34 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Fort Hays State University earn around $43,421 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,875. See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Fort Hays State University

6
University Of Iowa crest
University Of Iowa
Iowa City, IA

University Of Iowa landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. About 21 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Graduates of the geological & earth sciences program make about $57,375 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,463. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Iowa

7
University Of Kansas crest
University Of Kansas
Lawrence, KS

University Of Kansas came in at #7 for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. About 24 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Kansas in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $41,626. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000. Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Kansas

8

Missouri State University Springfield came in at #8 for geological & earth sciences this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Missouri State University Springfield graduates 58% of students within six years. About 40 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at Missouri State University Springfield in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $34,481. Students borrow a median of $28,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Missouri State University Springfield

9

Winona State University placed #9 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Winona. Winona State University graduates 56% of students within six years. There were roughly 11 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Winona State University in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from Winona State University earn around $36,984 in the first couple years of their career. Winona State University graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Winona State University

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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