Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Pennsylvania
Ranked by graduate earnings
Pennsylvania State University, Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus are the top bachelor's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Pennsylvania by graduate earnings. Pennsylvania State University leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $53,908, College Scorecard. University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus, Pennsylvania State University and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Pennsylvania: 98, 85 and 38 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 26 Pennsylvania colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 408 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 6 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 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,908 | 85 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 2 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,112 | 38 | 54% | — | $29,725 |
| 3 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,652 | 98 | 85% | — | $26,000 |
| 4 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $41,094 | 15 | 66% | — | $27,937 |
| 5 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $34,617 | 11 | 56% | — | — |
| 6 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $28,040 | 15 | 54% | — | $26,334 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Pennsylvania
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 Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh Public | 98 | $38,652 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania State University University Park Public | 85 | $53,908 |
| 3 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg Public | 38 | $43,112 |
| 4 | Lehigh University Bethlehem Private not-for-profit | 23 | Not reported |
| 5 | West Chester University of Pennsylvania West Chester Public | 19 | Not reported |
| 6 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia Private not-for-profit | 18 | Not reported |
| 7 | Kutztown University of Pennsylvania Kutztown Public | 15 | $28,040 |
| 8 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock Public | 15 | $41,094 |
| 9 | Lafayette College Easton Private not-for-profit | 13 | Not reported |
| 10 | Susquehanna University Selinsgrove Private not-for-profit | 12 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 16 Pennsylvania colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana University of Pennsylvania | Indiana | Public | 11 |
| Temple University | Philadelphia | Public | 8 |
| Pennsylvania State University - World Campus (Online) | University Park | Public | 8 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | Johnstown | Public | 7 |
| Bryn Mawr College | Bryn Mawr | Private not-for-profit | 5 |
| Bucknell University | Lewisburg | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Dickinson College | Carlisle | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Franklin and Marshall College | Lancaster | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Juniata College | Huntingdon | Private not-for-profit | 4 |
| Millersville University of Pennsylvania | Millersville | Public | 4 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Bradford | Bradford | Public | 4 |
| Haverford College | Haverford | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology | Harrisburg | Private not-for-profit | 2 |
| Mercyhurst University | Erie | Private not-for-profit | 1 |
| Wilkes University | Wilkes-Barre | Private not-for-profit | 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 Pennsylvania
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Pennsylvania.
Which Pennsylvania colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (98 graduates a year), Pennsylvania State University (85 graduates a year) and Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (38 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Pennsylvania, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 26 Pennsylvania colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
What is the best college for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Pennsylvania?+
By graduate earnings, Pennsylvania State University leads among bachelor's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Pennsylvania, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $53,908, College Scorecard. Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus follow. By degrees awarded, University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus is the largest, with 98 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Pennsylvania has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Pennsylvania State University tops the list at $53,908. 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 Pennsylvania?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Pennsylvania is $92,830 (median $84,180), across about 910 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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