Kansas · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Kansas

Ranked by graduate earnings

Fort Hays State University, University of Kansas and Kansas State University award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Kansas: 34, 24 and 10 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 5 Kansas colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 75 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
5
offering CIP 40.06
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
75
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$41,626
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
59%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$90,000
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, 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
1Fort Hays State University
Hays Public · Bachelor's degree
$43,4213448%—$23,875
2University of Kansas
Lawrence Public · Bachelor's degree
$41,6262469%—$27,000

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

Top 5 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)
1Fort Hays State University
Hays Public
34$43,421
2University of Kansas
Lawrence Public
24$41,626
3Kansas State University
Manhattan Public
10Not reported
4Wichita State University
Wichita Public
5Not reported
5Emporia State University
Emporia Public
2Not reported

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 Kansas

Jobs in Kansas
190
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$90,000
median $80,080
Best-paying metro
$109,300
Wichita, KS

Related careers

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$90,000 avg · 190 jobs
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
$114,750 avg · 170 jobs
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$111,290 avg · 80 jobs
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$61,710
Hydrologists
—

Common questions

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

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

Fort Hays State University (34 graduates a year), University of Kansas (24 graduates a year) and Kansas State University (10 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Kansas, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 5 Kansas colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Fort Hays State University tops the list at $43,421. 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 Kansas?+

The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Kansas is $90,000 (median $80,080), across about 190 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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