Best institutions to study Geological/Geophysical Engineering
Compare 19 U.S. colleges offering Geological/Geophysical Engineering by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 19 states.
Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs report a median of $64,503 one year after graduation (College Scorecard, 2024), and map to CIP 14.39 and the Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs
Geological/Geophysical Engineering is a specialized field within engineering that integrates geological science with engineering principles. This program focuses on assessing the suitability of sites for various projects, including civil engineering, mining, and environmental initiatives, through geological and geophysical studies. It is ideal for students interested in applying scientific knowledge to solve practical problems in the earth sciences.
Students in this program develop essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Coursework typically covers engineering and technology, geological principles, and environmental considerations, preparing graduates to tackle real-world challenges in mining and civil engineering.
Top 4 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado School of Mines Golden, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $68,694 | 74 | 82% | — | $27,000 |
| 2 | Missouri University of Science and Technology Rolla, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $64,503 | 145 | 64% | — | $20,500 |
| 3 | Michigan Technological University Houghton, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $63,658 | 10 | 68% | — | $22,849 |
| 4 | University of Mississippi University, MS Public · Bachelor's degree | $59,070 | 6 | 72% | — | $23,970 |
Offered across 19 states
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
| State | Institutions | Median earnings | Top institution by earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coloradolimited | 1 | $68,694 | Colorado School of Mines |
| Missourilimited | 1 | $64,503 | Missouri University of Science and Technology |
| Michiganlimited | 1 | $63,658 | Michigan Technological University |
| Mississippilimited | 1 | $59,070 | University of Mississippi |
| Alaskalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Arizonalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Californialimited | 1 | — | — |
| Delawarelimited | 1 | — | — |
| Idaholimited | 1 | — | — |
| Minnesotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Montanalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Nevadalimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Jerseylimited | 1 | — | — |
| New Yorklimited | 1 | — | — |
| North Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| South Dakotalimited | 1 | — | — |
| Texaslimited | 1 | — | — |
| Utahlimited | 1 | — | — |
| Wisconsinlimited | 1 | — | — |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 17-2151, Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of Geological/Geophysical Engineering can expect a stable job outlook with an annual opening of approximately 400 positions. The median wage for professionals in this field is around $101,020, with a typical education requirement of a Bachelor's degree. The growth rate for this occupation is projected at 0.7%, indicating little or no change in demand.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Geological/Geophysical Engineering
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 14.39.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 14.39 (Geological/Geophysical Engineering) maps to 4 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9041 | Architectural and Engineering Managers |
| 17-2151 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineersprimary |
| 17-2199 | Engineers, All Other |
| 25-1032 | Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Prepare technical reports for use by mining, engineering, and management personnel.
- Inspect mining areas for unsafe structures, equipment, and working conditions.
- Select or develop mineral location, extraction, and production methods, based on factors such as safety, cost, and deposit characteristics.
- Select locations and plan underground or surface mining operations, specifying processes, labor usage, and equipment that will result in safe, economical, and environmentally sound extraction of minerals and ores.
- Prepare schedules, reports, and estimates of the costs involved in developing and operating mines.
- Monitor mine production rates to assess operational effectiveness.
Concentrations within Geological/Geophysical Engineering
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- Geological/Geophysical EngineeringCIP 14.3901
A program that prepares individuals to apply mathematical and geological principles to the analysis and evaluation of engineering problems, including the geological evaluation of construction sites, t
Common questions
What is Geological/Geophysical Engineering?+
It is a discipline that combines geological science with engineering principles to support various industries, including civil engineering and mining.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will enhance skills such as critical thinking, mathematics, and technical writing, essential for problem-solving in engineering.
What career opportunities are available?+
Graduates can pursue careers in mining, environmental consulting, and civil engineering, among others.
What is the expected salary for graduates?+
The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $101,020.
How much do Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earn?+
Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates report median earnings of $64,503 one year after graduation, per College Scorecard (2024); the Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers occupation pays about $115,410 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Geological/Geophysical Engineering?+
Geological/Geophysical Engineering maps to CIP 14.39 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
Explore every U.S. college in one conversation
Clema turns plain-language questions into sourced answers across every U.S. institution — earnings, aid, acceptance, graduation, safety, and athletics from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and 10+ federal datasets, built in.
Free for teams up to 3 · No credit card