Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Tennessee
Ranked by graduate earnings
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, East Tennessee State University and Middle Tennessee State University award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Tennessee: 38, 25 and 21 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Tennessee colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 159 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 2 institutions, 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 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public · Bachelor's degree | $34,329 | 21 | 54% | — | $31,256 |
| 2 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public · Bachelor's degree | $30,101 | 38 | 74% | — | $26,000 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Tennessee
Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). 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 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville Public | 38 | $30,101 |
| 2 | East Tennessee State University Johnson City Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 3 | Middle Tennessee State University Murfreesboro Public | 21 | $34,329 |
| 4 | University of Memphis Memphis Public | 18 | Not reported |
| 5 | Tennessee Technological University Cookeville Public | 17 | Not reported |
| 6 | The University of Tennessee-Martin Martin Public | 10 | Not reported |
| 7 | Vanderbilt University Nashville Private not-for-profit | 9 | Not reported |
| 8 | The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Chattanooga Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 9 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 10 | The University of the South Sewanee Private not-for-profit | 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 Tennessee
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Tennessee.
Which Tennessee colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (38 graduates a year), East Tennessee State University (25 graduates a year) and Middle Tennessee State University (21 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Tennessee, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Tennessee colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Tennessee has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Middle Tennessee State University tops the list at $34,329. 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 Tennessee?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Tennessee is $84,130 (median $77,870), across about 230 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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