Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Michigan
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Michigan Technological University and Michigan State University award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Michigan: 80, 34 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Michigan colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 200 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 5 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 Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,974 | 80 | 93% | — | $17,875 |
| 2 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $39,997 | 18 | 81% | — | $29,869 |
| 3 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $38,675 | 11 | 67% | — | $28,750 |
| 4 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $35,235 | 6 | 59% | — | $31,000 |
| 5 | Wayne State University Detroit Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $30,723 | 9 | 58% | — | — |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Michigan
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 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor Public | 80 | $45,974 |
| 2 | Michigan Technological University Houghton Public | 34 | Not reported |
| 3 | Michigan State University East Lansing Public | 18 | $39,997 |
| 4 | Western Michigan University Kalamazoo Public | 16 | Not reported |
| 5 | Grand Valley State University Allendale Public | 11 | $38,675 |
| 6 | Wayne State University Detroit Public | 9 | $30,723 |
| 7 | Albion College Albion Private not-for-profit | 7 | Not reported |
| 8 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant Public | 6 | $35,235 |
| 9 | Northern Michigan University Marquette Public | 6 | Not reported |
| 10 | Calvin University Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 4 Michigan colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Superior State University | Sault Ste Marie | Public | 3 |
| Eastern Michigan University | Ypsilanti | Public | 2 |
| Hope College | Holland | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| University of Michigan-Dearborn | Dearborn | 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 Michigan
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Michigan.
Which Michigan colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (80 graduates a year), Michigan Technological University (34 graduates a year) and Michigan State University (18 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Michigan colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor tops the list at $45,974. 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 Michigan?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Michigan is $86,420 (median $80,990), across about 320 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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