2026 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools in the The Plains States 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 35 schools to find the best for geological & earth sciences students.
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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
No school ranked higher than Washington University In St Louis this year for geological & earth sciences. Located in the suburb of St. Louis, Washington University In St Louis is a large private not-for-profit university. Washington University In St Louis graduates 94% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Washington University In St Louis in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Washington University In St Louis earn a median of $68,303 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $17,553 to complete this degree.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for Washington University In St Louis
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. Set in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public institution. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates 85% of students within six years. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities awarded about 54 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $44,825. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates carry a median of $21,700 in student loans.
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Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Nebraska Lincoln, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Lincoln, University Of Nebraska Lincoln is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 67%. University Of Nebraska Lincoln awarded about 15 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geological & earth sciences degree from University Of Nebraska Lincoln earn around $49,755 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,386.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at University Of Nebraska Lincoln
Kansas 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 city of Manhattan. About 71% of students finish within six years. Kansas State University awarded about 20 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Kansas State University earn a median of $51,543 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,546.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for Kansas State University
Students looking for a strong geological & earth sciences program will find one at University Of Missouri Columbia, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia 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 Missouri Columbia in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Missouri Columbia generally make around $53,134. Typical student debt for the program is $21,818.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from University Of Missouri Columbia
South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology landed the #6 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology is a mid-sized public school located in the city of Rapid City. About 52% of students finish within six years. About 13 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology generally make around $75,838. Students borrow a median of $26,668 to complete this degree.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at South Dakota School Of Mines And Technology
University Of Nebraska At Omaha landed the #7 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. University Of Nebraska At Omaha is a large public school located in the city of Omaha. University Of Nebraska At Omaha graduates 49% of students within six years. About 11 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Nebraska At Omaha in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Nebraska At Omaha generally make around $48,906. Typical student debt for the program is $21,783.
Get the full geological & earth sciences details for University Of Nebraska At Omaha
University Of Iowa ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best geological & earth sciences schools. University Of Iowa is a very large public school located in the city of Iowa City. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 23 geological & earth sciences degrees were awarded at University Of Iowa in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geological & earth sciences degree recipients from University Of Iowa generally make around $57,375. Students borrow a median of $24,463 to complete this degree.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Iowa
Fort Hays State University placed #9 among the best geological & earth sciences schools. Located in the town of Hays, Fort Hays State University is a large public university. Fort Hays State University graduates 46% of students within six years. There were roughly 21 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at Fort Hays State University in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Fort Hays State University earn a median of $43,421 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,875 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geological & earth sciences from Fort Hays State University
University Of Kansas landed the #10 spot for geological & earth sciences this year. Located in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 geological & earth sciences students who graduated with this degree at University Of Kansas in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $41,626 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $27,000.
See the full geological & earth sciences program report for University Of Kansas
Missouri State University Springfield landed the #11 spot 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. Missouri State University Springfield awarded about 49 geological & earth sciences degrees in the most recent data year. Geological & Earth Sciences graduates of Missouri State University Springfield earn a median of $34,481 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $28,000.
Read more about the geological & earth sciences program at Missouri State University Springfield
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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 · 35 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.
