Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Colorado
Ranked by graduate earnings
Colorado School of Mines, Colorado State University - Fort Collins and University of Colorado Boulder award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Colorado: 62, 45 and 40 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Colorado colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 202 degrees and certificates a year in all.
The Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program focuses on the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding natural phenomena and the physical sciences…
Top 3 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,263 | 40 | 74% | — | $25,000 |
| 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,158 | 45 | 67% | — | $26,028 |
| 3 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $46,954 | 11 | 51% | — | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Colorado
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Starting salary (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado School of Mines Golden Public | 62 | Not reported |
| 2 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins Public | 45 | $41,158 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder Public | 40 | $46,263 |
| 4 | Colorado College Colorado Springs Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley Public | 11 | $46,954 |
| 6 | Fort Lewis College Durango Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 7 | Colorado Mesa University Grand Junction Public | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | Western Colorado University Gunnison Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | Adams State University Alamosa Public | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 3 Colorado colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front Range Community College | Westminster | Public | 2 |
| Community College of Denver | Denver | Public | 1 |
| Red Rocks Community College | Lakewood | Public | 1 |
Career outlook
What this program leads to: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042).
Top skills
What Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in Colorado
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Colorado.
Which Colorado colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
Colorado School of Mines (62 graduates a year), Colorado State University - Fort Collins (45 graduates a year) and University of Colorado Boulder (40 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Colorado, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Colorado colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Colorado has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Colorado Boulder tops the list at $46,263. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.
How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in Colorado?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Colorado is $132,120 (median $114,410), across about 1,480 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
What is the focus of the Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program?+
The Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program focuses on the study of the Earth's structure, composition, and processes. This program is designed for students interested in understanding natural phenomena and the physical sciences…
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop reading comprehension, science, speaking, critical thinking, and related professional skills.
What is the job outlook for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers?+
The national job outlook is about +3.2% growth with around 2,000 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).
What is the typical education requirement?+
A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
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