2026 Best Geological And Earth Sciences Schools
Looking for the best Geological And Earth Sciences programs programs in the United States? Our ranking highlights 597 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. Each school below is scored on factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor evaluated schools to produce this 2026 ranking, drawing primarily on U.S. Department of Education data (IPEDS and College Scorecard). View our full ranking methodology.
Top 25 Geological And Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
Learn more about these excellent schools below:
Stanford University tops our 2026 ranking of the best Geological And Earth Sciences programs schools in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Stanford University posts a six-year graduation rate of 92%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,910. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $10,492. Read more about Stanford University
The strong Geological And Earth Sciences programs at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Set in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University graduates 95% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $68,322. Northwestern University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Read the full report on Northwestern University
You'll be in good company at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3 this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a public school based in Austin, TX. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $16,487. Read the full report on The University Of Texas At Austin
Middlesex County College came in at #4 on this year's Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. Set in Edison, NJ, Middlesex County College is a public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,764, with out-of-state students paying around $7,356. Students borrow a median of $9,514 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. See the full Middlesex County College profile
The strong Geological And Earth Sciences programs at University Of Chicago earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit school based in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $69,324. Students borrow a median of $15,854 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. More on University Of Chicago
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 in this year's ranking. Texas A And M University College Station is a public school based in College Station, TX. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, with out-of-state students paying around $40,124. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $20,837. See the full Texas A And M University College Station profile
University Of Florida Online did well this year, earning the #7 position. University Of Florida Online is a public school based in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida Online posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. Students from in state pay about $3,876 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,579 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on University Of Florida Online
University Of Wisconsin River Falls landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. About 57% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $24,245. More on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
University Of California Berkeley ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,377, compared with $47,265 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $14,238 in student loans. More on University Of California Berkeley
Williams College placed #10 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Williamstown, MA, Williams College is a private not-for-profit institution. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,560. Graduates carry a median of $12,615 in student loans. See the full Williams College profile
Northeastern University did well this year, earning the #11 position. Set in Boston, MA, Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 90%. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,611. Read more about Northeastern University
University Of Delaware landed the #12 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware posts a six-year graduation rate of 82%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $24,861 in student loans. More on University Of Delaware
University Of Wyoming came in at #13 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. Roughly 59% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $23,700. More on University Of Wyoming
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Wisconsin Madison report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #15 position. Set in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign profile
University Of Maryland College Park did well this year, earning the #16 position. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $20,836. More on University Of Maryland College Park
Union College New York ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $69,039 in tuition and fees. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $25,869. See the full Union College New York profile
Iowa State University came in at #18 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, while out-of-state students pay about $28,881. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $26,250. More on Iowa State University
Cornell University came in at #19 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Ithaca, NY. Roughly 95% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. More on Cornell University
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #20 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public school based in Pomona, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. California State Polytechnic University Pomona Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $19,375 in debt. More on California State Polytechnic University Pomona
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Located in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. Texas A And M University Kingsville posts a six-year graduation rate of 42%. In-state tuition and fees average $9,892, with out-of-state students paying around $25,746. Texas A And M University Kingsville Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $25,531 in debt. See the full Texas A And M University Kingsville profile
University Of Houston came in at #23 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houston, TX. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. Students from in state pay about $9,717 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,547. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $25,000. Get the full University Of Houston report
California State University Long Beach ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Long Beach, CA, California State University Long Beach is a public institution. California State University Long Beach posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,671 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a public school based in Santa Barbara, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,800 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Fort Collins, CO, Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins graduates 66% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $13,373 in tuition and fees, compared with $35,061 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,028. Read more about Colorado State University Fort Collins
Rest of the Top 50 Best Geological And Earth Sciences Schools in the United States
Not far behind, these schools also made the top of the list:
Michigan State University landed the #27 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. Michigan State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 81%. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $29,869 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. More on Michigan State University
Drexel University placed #28 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Philadelphia, PA, Drexel University is a private not-for-profit institution. Drexel University graduates 78% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $62,412. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $28,838. Read the full report on Drexel University
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #29 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public school based in Stillwater, OK. Oklahoma State University Main Campus graduates 68% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,000. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
Pacific Lutheran University landed the #30 spot in the United States this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tacoma, WA. Pacific Lutheran University posts a six-year graduation rate of 69%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $50,916. Graduates carry a median of $23,667 in student loans. Read the full report on Pacific Lutheran University
University Of Florida ranked #31 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. University Of Florida posts a six-year graduation rate of 91%. In-state tuition and fees run about $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $24,757 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Florida report
North Carolina State University At Raleigh placed #32 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. North Carolina State University At Raleigh graduates 85% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, compared with $32,847 for out-of-state students. North Carolina State University At Raleigh Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $22,234 in debt. Read more about North Carolina State University At Raleigh
Smith College landed the #33 spot in the United States this year. Smith College is a private not-for-profit school based in Northampton, MA. Smith College graduates 89% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $18,941. See the full Smith College profile
Johns Hopkins University ranked #34 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit school based in Baltimore, MD. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $13,426. Read more about Johns Hopkins University
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. Millersville University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 58%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $22,952. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,486. Get the full Millersville University Of Pennsylvania report
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #36 in this year's ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $21,700. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania came in at #37 in this year's ranking. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public school based in East Stroudsburg, PA. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania posts a six-year graduation rate of 43%. Students from in state pay about $11,236 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,202. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $26,527 in debt. Read more about East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania
Temple University came in at #39 in this year's ranking. Set in Philadelphia, PA, Temple University is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,259. Read the full report on Temple University
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #40 spot in the United States this year. University Of Nevada Reno is a public school based in Reno, NV. Roughly 61% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $23,250. Get the full University Of Nevada Reno report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #41 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public school based in Pittsburgh, PA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus report
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Ann Arbor, MI, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public institution. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,848 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Get the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor report
West Virginia University came in at #43 in this year's ranking. Set in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. West Virginia University posts a six-year graduation rate of 64%. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on West Virginia University
Baylor University landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. Graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Read more about Baylor University
California State University Sacramento did well this year, earning the #45 position. Based in Sacramento, CA, California State University Sacramento is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 56%. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $15,000. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
Colorado School Of Mines placed #46 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. About 82% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,914, while out-of-state students pay about $45,824. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $24,521. Get the full Colorado School Of Mines report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus placed #47 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $20,500. Get the full University Of Washington Seattle Campus report
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates 86% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey came in at #49 in this year's ranking. Located in Galloway, NJ, The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey is a public institution. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,266, while out-of-state students pay about $24,524. Graduates carry a median of $24,990 in student loans. More on The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Eastern Washington University ranked #50 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Cheney, WA, Eastern Washington University is a public institution. About 44% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $21,754. Read more about Eastern Washington University
Towson University placed #51 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Towson, MD. Roughly 70% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Graduates carry a median of $21,241 in student loans. Get the full Towson University report
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #53 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in West Lafayette, IN. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. Students from in state pay about $9,992 in tuition and fees, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $16,000 in student loans. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
Best Geological And Earth Sciences Schools by Degree Level
See the best schools at each degree level:
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Undergraduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Associate’s Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
The ranking above is published by Course Advisor (DMS_RANKING_2023), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and admissions data drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: Dms College Quality · Scope: Nation. *Averages shown above reflect the top 597 ranked schools only.
References
- Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) — National Center for Education Statistics, U.S. Department of Education (core institutional data).
- College Scorecard — U.S. Department of Education (graduate earnings and outcomes data).
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