Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Minnesota
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Carleton College and Macalester College award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Minnesota: 39, 21 and 14 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 12 Minnesota colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 123 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 Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,825 | 39 | 85% | — | $21,700 |
| 2 | Carleton College Northfield Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,371 | 21 | 90% | $18,669 | — |
| 3 | Winona State University Winona Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $36,984 | 11 | 57% | — | $27,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Minnesota
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 Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis Public | 39 | $44,825 |
| 2 | Carleton College Northfield Private not-for-profit | 21 | $40,371 |
| 3 | Macalester College Saint Paul Private not-for-profit | 14 | Not reported |
| 4 | University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth Public | 12 | Not reported |
| 5 | Winona State University Winona Public | 11 | $36,984 |
| 6 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 7 | Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 8 | Century College White Bear Lake Public | 4 | Not reported |
| 9 | Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter Private not-for-profit | 3 | Not reported |
| 10 | Minnesota State University Moorhead Moorhead Public | 3 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 2 Minnesota colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Minnesota-Morris | Morris | Public | 2 |
| University of St Thomas | Saint Paul | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
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 Minnesota
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Minnesota.
Which Minnesota colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (39 graduates a year), Carleton College (21 graduates a year) and Macalester College (14 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 12 Minnesota colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Minnesota has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities tops the list at $44,825. 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 Minnesota?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Minnesota is $92,530 (median $80,540), across about 240 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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