Best institutions to study Geology/Earth Science
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the earth; the forces acting upon it; and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gases comprising it.
433 U.S. institutions graduated 5,615 Geology/Earth Science students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 40.0601, a specialization of Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06), and leads most directly to the Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians occupation (BLS SOC 19-4043).
About Geology/Earth Science programs
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the earth; the forces acting upon it; and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gases comprising it. Includes instruction in historical geology, geomorphology, and sedimentology, the chemistry of rocks and soils, stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, geostatistics, volcanology, glaciology, geophysical principles, and applications to research and industrial problems.
See also: 14.3901 - Geological/Geophysical Engineering.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Geology/Earth Science program, also known as Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences, focuses on the scientific study of the Earth and the forces that act upon it. This program is designed for students interested in understanding the behavior of the Earth's solids, liquids, and gases, while exploring various geological processes and phenomena. It is ideal for those who are passionate about the physical sciences and wish to contribute to environmental and geological research.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in historical geology, sedimentology, mineralogy, and geophysical principles. Coursework typically includes hands-on experiences in testing and analyzing geological samples, preparing geological maps, and participating in field surveys, equipping graduates with essential skills for their future careers.
Credentials awarded
What Geology/Earth Science graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree3,832 graduates / yr · 352 institutions68%
- Master's degree1,034 graduates / yr · 161 institutions18%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship503 graduates / yr · 107 institutions9.0%
- Associate's degree152 graduates / yr · 67 institutions2.7%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year51 graduates / yr · 10 institutions0.9%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate24 graduates / yr · 5 institutions0.4%
- Post-master's certificate18 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Geology/Earth Science completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,145 |
| 2013 | 6,556 |
| 2014 | 6,979 |
| 2015 | 7,395 |
| 2016 | 7,584 |
| 2017 | 7,653 |
| 2018 | 7,664 |
| 2019 | 7,360 |
| 2020 | 6,862 |
| 2021 | 5,861 |
| 2022 | 6,050 |
| 2023 | 5,708 |
| 2024 | 5,543 |
| 2025 | 5,615 |
Top 50 institutions for Geology/Earth Science, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 157 | 67% | — | $42,298 |
| 2 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 127 | 60% | — | $33,178 |
| 3 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 83 | 69% | — | $37,717 |
| 4 | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MIPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 80 | 93% | — | $45,974 |
| 5 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 80 | 89% | — | $42,062 |
| 6 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 75 | 84% | — | $44,585 |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 71 | 85% | — | $38,652 |
| 8 | Stanford University Stanford, CAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster's | 63 | 92% | $12,032 | — |
| 9 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 61 | 96% | $15,315 | $34,658 |
| 10 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 61 | 83% | — | $39,692 |
| 11 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 60 | 87% | — | $38,804 |
| 12 | University of California - Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 58 | 75% | — | $43,362 |
| 13 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 57 | 83% | — | $30,759 |
| 14 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 52 | 65% | — | $38,637 |
| 15 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 50 | 65% | — | $36,802 |
| 16 | Montana State University Bozeman, MTPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 45 | 57% | — | $29,030 |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University - Main Campus University Park, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 45 | 86% | — | $53,908 |
| 18 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 43 | 86% | — | — |
| 19 | University of California - San Diego La Jolla, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 86% | — | — |
| 20 | Colorado State University - Fort Collins Fort Collins, COPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 40 | 67% | — | $41,158 |
| 21 | University of Houston Houston, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 40 | 65% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, COPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 38 | 74% | — | $46,263 |
| 23 | Miami University - Oxford Oxford, OHPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 80% | — | $38,478 |
| 24 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 38 | 74% | — | $30,101 |
| 25 | Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania Bloomsburg, PAPublicBachelor's | 38 | 54% | — | $43,112 |
| 26 | University of California - Davis Davis, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 37 | 86% | — | $43,462 |
| 27 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 36 | 91% | — | $40,691 |
| 28 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 88% | — | $41,156 |
| 29 | University of Hawaii at Manoa Honolulu, HIPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | 64% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Illinois Chicago Chicago, ILPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 34 | 62% | — | $37,280 |
| 31 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 34 | 48% | — | $43,421 |
| 32 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicBachelor's | 33 | 75% | — | $35,021 |
| 33 | University of California - Riverside Riverside, CAPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 32 | 76% | — | $22,998 |
| 34 | Oklahoma State University - Main Campus Stillwater, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 32 | 68% | — | — |
| 35 | University of Nevada - Las Vegas Las Vegas, NVPublicBachelor's | 31 | 51% | — | $41,963 |
| 36 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 31 | 55% | — | — |
| 37 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 31 | 72% | — | — |
| 38 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 30 | 68% | — | $38,617 |
| 39 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicBachelor'sDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 30 | 74% | — | — |
| 40 | Yale University New Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 29 | 96% | $27,025 | — |
| 41 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 53% | — | $39,375 |
| 42 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 53% | — | $37,831 |
| 43 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 76% | — | — |
| 44 | Central Washington University Ellensburg, WAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 28 | 54% | — | — |
| 45 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 65% | — | $36,382 |
| 46 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 71% | — | $31,087 |
| 47 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 77% | — | $48,565 |
| 48 | University of Oklahoma - Norman Campus Norman, OKPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 75% | — | — |
| 49 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 26 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 50 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 26 | 69% | — | $49,727 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field (CIP 40.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 51 states & territories
Where Geology/Earth Science graduates come from. Each state links to all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4043, Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geology/Earth Science program can pursue various careers, including roles as geological technicians and geoscientists. The job outlook shows little or no change, with an annual opening of approximately 1,300 positions and a median wage of $48,390. Most positions typically require at least an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 40.0601
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Techniciansprimary SOC 19-4043 | $53,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~1,300 | Associate's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers SOC 19-2042 | $101,920 | +3.2% About as fast as average | ~2,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1051 | $103,170 | +2.6% About as fast as average | ~1,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Hydrologists SOC 19-2043 | $96,600 | -0.1% Little or no change | ~500 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Geology/Earth Science programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Test and analyze samples to determine their content and characteristics, using laboratory apparatus or testing equipment.
- Collect or prepare solid or fluid samples for analysis.
- Compile, log, or record testing or operational data for review and further analysis.
- Prepare notes, sketches, geological maps, or cross-sections.
- Participate in geological, geophysical, geochemical, hydrographic, or oceanographic surveys, prospecting field trips, exploratory drilling, well logging, or underground mine survey programs.
- Prepare or review professional, technical, or other reports regarding sampling, testing, or recommendations of data analysis.
Tools and technology used
Other Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences specializations
The 7 other 6-digit CIP codes under Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06).
- Geological and Earth Sciences/CIP 40.0699
Geosciences 946 graduates / yr87 institutions - OceanographyCIP 40.0607534 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Hydrology and Water Resources ScienceCIP 40.0605206 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Geophysics and SeismologyCIP 40.0603169 graduates / yr32 institutions
- GeochemistryCIP 40.0602partial data24 graduates / yr8 institutions
- PaleontologyCIP 40.0604partial data21 graduates / yr5 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Geochemistry and Petrology40.0606
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's, Master's, Doctor's, or Associate's degree in Geology/Earth Science.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, mathematics, and active learning, among others.
What types of jobs can I get?+
You can work as a geological technician, geoscientist, or in various related roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with about 1,300 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Geology/Earth Science?+
Geology/Earth Science is CIP 40.0601 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (CIP 40.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the scientific study of the earth; the forces acting upon it; and the behavior of the solids, liquids and gases comprising it. Includes instruction in historical geology, geomorphology, and sedimentology, the chemistry of rocks and soils, stratigraphy, mineralogy, petrology, geostatistics, volcanology, glaciology, geophysical principles, and applications to research and industrial problems.
How many institutions offer Geology/Earth Science programs?+
433 U.S. institutions reported Geology/Earth Science graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 51 states & territories, awarding 5,615 credentials in the year. That is 74.7% of all Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.
How much do Geology/Earth Science graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians occupation, which Geology/Earth Science most directly leads to, pays a median of $53,350 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field report median earnings of $40,005 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
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.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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