Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in North Carolina
Ranked by graduate earnings
North Carolina State University at Raleigh, University of North Carolina Wilmington and University of North Carolina at Charlotte are the top bachelor's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in North Carolina by graduate earnings. North Carolina State University at Raleigh leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,871, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina at Charlotte, University of North Carolina Wilmington and Appalachian State University award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in North Carolina: 83, 40 and 33 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 9 North Carolina colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 249 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 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,871 | 28 | 85% | — | $22,234 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,459 | 40 | 71% | — | $26,000 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public · Bachelor's degree | $37,717 | 83 | 69% | — | $24,897 |
| 4 | Appalachian State University Boone Public · Bachelor's degree | $35,021 | 33 | 75% | — | $22,853 |
| 5 | East Carolina University Greenville Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $44,961 | 14 | 63% | — | $20,500 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in North Carolina
Top 9 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 North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte Public | 83 | $37,717 |
| 2 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington Public | 40 | $38,459 |
| 3 | Appalachian State University Boone Public | 33 | $35,021 |
| 4 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh Public | 28 | $38,871 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill Public | 26 | Not reported |
| 6 | East Carolina University Greenville Public | 14 | $44,961 |
| 7 | Duke University Durham Private not-for-profit | 11 | Not reported |
| 8 | North Carolina Central University Durham Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Western Carolina University Cullowhee Public | 6 | Not reported |
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 North Carolina
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in North Carolina.
Which North Carolina colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
University of North Carolina at Charlotte (83 graduates a year), University of North Carolina Wilmington (40 graduates a year) and Appalachian State University (33 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in North Carolina, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 9 North Carolina colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
What is the best college for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in North Carolina?+
By graduate earnings, North Carolina State University at Raleigh leads among bachelor's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in North Carolina, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $38,871, College Scorecard. University of North Carolina Wilmington and University of North Carolina at Charlotte follow. By degrees awarded, University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the largest, with 83 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in North Carolina has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, North Carolina State University at Raleigh tops the list at $38,871. 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 North Carolina?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in North Carolina is $100,170 (median $95,260), across about 570 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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