Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Virginia
Ranked by graduate earnings
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Old Dominion University and William & Mary award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Virginia: 53, 31 and 25 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Virginia colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 163 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 institution, 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 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,118 | 24 | 80% | — | $22,375 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Virginia
Top 7 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 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg Public | 53 | Not reported |
| 2 | Old Dominion University Norfolk Public | 31 | Not reported |
| 3 | William & Mary Williamsburg Public | 25 | Not reported |
| 4 | James Madison University Harrisonburg Public | 24 | $48,118 |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax Public | 21 | Not reported |
| 6 | Washington and Lee University Lexington Private not-for-profit | 6 | Not reported |
| 7 | Radford University Radford Public | 3 | 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 Virginia
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Virginia.
Which Virginia colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (53 graduates a year), Old Dominion University (31 graduates a year) and William & Mary (25 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees and certificates in Virginia, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Virginia colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Virginia has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, James Madison University tops the list at $48,118. 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 Virginia?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Virginia is $105,120 (median $88,390), across about 300 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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