Kentucky · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Kentucky

Ranked by graduates a year

Western Kentucky University, University of Kentucky and Murray State University award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Kentucky: 24, 16 and 16 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 6 Kentucky colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 72 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
6
offering CIP 40.06
States & territories
52
with a program page
Degrees / yr
72
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
—
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
0
College Scorecard
Median net price
—
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
57%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$79,810
BLS OEWS May 2025

6 institutions offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Kentucky

Graduate earnings are not yet reported for these institutions; ordered by graduates a year.

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
1Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
—2456%——
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
—1671%——
3Murray State University
Murray Public
—1661%——
4Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
—650%——
5Morehead State University
Morehead Public
—552%——
6Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
—552%——

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

Top 6 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)
1Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green Public
24Not reported
2University of Kentucky
Lexington Public
16Not reported
3Murray State University
Murray Public
16Not reported
4Eastern Kentucky University
Richmond Public
6Not reported
5Morehead State University
Morehead Public
5Not reported
6Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights Public
5Not 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 Kentucky

Jobs in Kentucky
170
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$79,810
median $77,510
Best-paying metro
$81,140
Lexington-Fayette, KY

Related careers

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
$96,830 avg · 250 jobs
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
$79,810 avg · 170 jobs
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
$58,980 avg · 60 jobs
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
$101,880 avg · 40 jobs
Hydrologic Technicians
$69,440 avg · 30 jobs

Common questions

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

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

Western Kentucky University (24 graduates a year), University of Kentucky (16 graduates a year) and Murray State University (16 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Kentucky, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 6 Kentucky colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.

How much do Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers earn in Kentucky?+

The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Kentucky is $79,810 (median $77,510), across about 170 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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