Indiana · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Indiana

Ranked by graduate earnings

Purdue University, Indiana University - Bloomington and Indiana University - Indianapolis award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Indiana: 61, 12 and 11 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Indiana colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 130 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…

Institutions
11
offering CIP 40.06
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
130
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$39,692
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
1
College Scorecard
Median net price
$20,874
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
61%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$76,640
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top institution, 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.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Purdue University
West Lafayette Public · Bachelor's degree
$39,6926183%—$16,000

Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Indiana

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Purdue University
West Lafayette Public
61$39,692
2Indiana University - Bloomington
Bloomington Public
12Not reported
3Indiana University - Indianapolis
Indianapolis Public
11Not reported
4Ball State University
Muncie Public
9Not reported
5DePauw University
Greencastle Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
6Indiana University - Northwest
Gary Public
8Not reported
7University of Southern Indiana
Evansville Public
6Not reported
8Indiana State University
Terre Haute Public
5Not reported
9Earlham College
Richmond Private not-for-profit
4Not reported
10University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
Show the other 1 Indiana colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Hanover CollegeHanoverPrivate not-for-profit2

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers (SOC 19-2042).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+3.2%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~2,000
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$99,240
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

Reading ComprehensionScienceSpeakingCritical ThinkingActive ListeningWriting

What Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in Indiana

Jobs in Indiana
270
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$76,640
median $68,240
Best-paying metro
$84,570
Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN

Related careers

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
$95,440 avg · 530 jobs
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$76,640 avg · 270 jobs
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$100,860 avg · 130 jobs
Hydrologists
$83,660 avg · 50 jobs
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$78,720

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Indiana.

Which Indiana colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+

Purdue University (61 graduates a year), Indiana University - Bloomington (12 graduates a year) and Indiana University - Indianapolis (11 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Indiana, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Indiana colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.

Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Indiana has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Purdue University tops the list at $39,692. 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 Indiana?+

The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Indiana is $76,640 (median $68,240), across about 270 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).

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in other statesIowaSouth CarolinaUtahVirginiaMissouriNew JerseyColoradoWyoming

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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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