Best colleges for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences in Wisconsin
Ranked by graduate earnings
University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Wisconsin: 29, 23 and 19 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 11 Wisconsin colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences and award 112 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 4 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 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,207 | 23 | 64% | — | $21,000 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,068 | 29 | 90% | — | $25,000 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $42,932 | 19 | 49% | — | $27,000 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha Public · Bachelor's degree Small program | $29,117 | 4 | 40% | — | $26,925 |
Colleges awarding the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin-Madison Madison Public | 29 | $43,068 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire Public | 23 | $44,207 |
| 3 | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Milwaukee Public | 19 | $42,932 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Oshkosh Public | 8 | Not reported |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay Public | 7 | Not reported |
| 6 | Beloit College Beloit Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 7 | Lawrence University Appleton Private not-for-profit | 5 | Not reported |
| 8 | University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Stevens Point Public | 5 | Not reported |
| 9 | University of Wisconsin-Parkside Kenosha Public | 4 | $29,117 |
| 10 | University of Wisconsin-River Falls River Falls Public | 4 | Not reported |
ShowHide the other 1 Wisconsin colleges offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
| Institution | City | Control | Graduates / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Norbert College | De Pere | Private not-for-profit | 3 |
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 Wisconsin
Related careers
Common questions
Answers for students comparing Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs in Wisconsin.
Which Wisconsin colleges award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees?+
University of Wisconsin-Madison (29 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (23 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (19 graduates a year) award the most Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degrees in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 11 Wisconsin colleges offer Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Which Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program in Wisconsin has the highest-earning graduates?+
By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire tops the list at $44,207. 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 Wisconsin?+
The average annual wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in Wisconsin is $88,150 (median $78,610), across about 110 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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