2026 Best Geological And Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools
Looking for the best Geological And Earth Sciences bachelor’s degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 597 colleges by overall quality and student outcomes, using our 2026 methodology. The rankings below weigh factors such as graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and admissions selectivity.
To help you make your decision, Course Advisor analyzed schools to build 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
Explore the leading schools below:
No school ranked higher than Stanford University this year 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 run about $65,910. Stanford University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $10,492 in debt. Get the full Stanford University report
The strong Geological And Earth Sciences programs at Northwestern University earned it the #2 place in the United States. Based in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 95% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $16,616. More on Northwestern University
You'll be in good company at The University Of Texas At Austin, which ranked #3 this year. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The University Of Texas At Austin graduates 89% of students 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. More on The University Of Texas At Austin
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #4 on this year's Geological And Earth Sciences ranking in the United States. Based in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Texas A And M University College Station graduates 84% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $12,995 in tuition and fees, 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
The strong Geological And Earth Sciences programs at University Of Delaware earned it the #5 place in the United States. University Of Delaware is a public school based in Newark, DE. The six-year graduation rate is 82%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,810, compared with $41,400 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. More on University Of Delaware
University Of Wisconsin Madison did well this year, earning the #6 position. Set in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. University Of Wisconsin Madison posts a six-year graduation rate of 90%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $25,000. Read more about University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of Chicago landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Set in Chicago, IL, University Of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 96%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $69,324. University Of Chicago Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $15,854 in debt. More on University Of Chicago
University Of California Berkeley landed the #8 spot in the United States this year. Set in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley posts a six-year graduation rate of 93%. In-state tuition and fees average $15,377, with out-of-state students paying around $47,265. University Of California Berkeley Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $14,238 in debt. More on University Of California Berkeley
University Of Florida Online placed #9 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida Online is a public institution. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $24,757. Get the full University Of Florida Online report
University Of Wisconsin River Falls did well this year, earning the #10 position. Located in River Falls, WI, University Of Wisconsin River Falls is a public institution. Roughly 57% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,008, with out-of-state students paying around $17,470. University Of Wisconsin River Falls Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $24,245 in debt. Read the full report on University Of Wisconsin River Falls
Williams College did well this year, earning the #11 position. Williams College is a private not-for-profit school based in Williamstown, MA. Williams College graduates 94% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $68,560 in tuition and fees. Williams College Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $12,615 in debt. Read the full report on Williams College
Northeastern University did well this year, earning the #12 position. Northeastern University is a private not-for-profit school based in Boston, MA. Northeastern University graduates 90% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $66,162. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $25,611. Read the full report on Northeastern University
University Of Wyoming placed #13 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Laramie, WY. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Graduates carry a median of $23,700 in student loans. Read more about University Of Wyoming
Union College New York landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. Based in Schenectady, NY, Union College New York is a private not-for-profit institution. Union College New York graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $69,039 in tuition and fees. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,869. See the full Union College New York profile
Iowa State University came in at #15 in this year's ranking. Based in Ames, IA, Iowa State University is a public institution. Iowa State University posts a six-year graduation rate of 75%. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $26,250. See the full Iowa State University profile
Cornell University landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. Students from in state pay about $69,314 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $15,005 in student loans. Read more about Cornell University
University Of Maryland College Park placed #17 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Based in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. Roughly 89% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Graduates carry a median of $20,836 in student loans. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
California State Polytechnic University Pomona placed #18 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Pomona, CA, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a public institution. California State Polytechnic University Pomona posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Graduates carry a median of $19,375 in student loans. See the full California State Polytechnic University Pomona profile
University Of Florida ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Gainesville, FL, University Of Florida is a public institution. University Of Florida graduates 91% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Graduates carry a median of $24,757 in student loans. More on University Of Florida
Michigan State University did well this year, earning the #21 position. This public school is set in East Lansing, MI. About 81% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,079, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $29,869 in student loans. See the full Michigan State University profile
Texas A And M University Kingsville ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Kingsville, TX, Texas A And M University Kingsville is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 42%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,892, compared with $25,746 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,531 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Get the full Texas A And M University Kingsville report
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign did well this year, earning the #23 position. This public school is set in Champaign, IL. About 85% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #24 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. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. More on University Of California Santa Barbara
California State University Long Beach ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. This public school is set in Long Beach, CA. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Graduates carry a median of $15,671 in student loans. Read the full report on California State University Long Beach
Colorado State University Fort Collins did well this year, earning the #26 position. Located 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. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,028. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
Rest of the Top 50 Best Geological And Earth Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Drexel University ranked #27 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set 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. Graduates carry a median of $28,838 in student loans. See the full Drexel University profile
Pacific Lutheran University ranked #28 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. This private not-for-profit school is set in Tacoma, WA. About 69% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $50,916 in tuition and fees. Pacific Lutheran University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $23,667 in debt. Read more about Pacific Lutheran University
North Carolina State University At Raleigh did well this year, earning the #29 position. Based in Raleigh, NC, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, while out-of-state students pay about $32,847. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $22,234. Get the full North Carolina State University At Raleigh report
Smith College did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Northampton, MA, Smith College is a private not-for-profit institution. Smith College posts a six-year graduation rate of 89%. In-state tuition and fees average $65,178. Smith College Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $18,941 in debt. See the full Smith College profile
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Located in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 94% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $64,730 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. More on Johns Hopkins University
Millersville University Of Pennsylvania placed #32 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Millersville, PA, Millersville University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 58%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $22,952. Students borrow a median of $26,486 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read more about Millersville University Of Pennsylvania
East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in East Stroudsburg, PA, East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania is a public institution. East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania graduates 43% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,236, 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. Get the full East Stroudsburg University Of Pennsylvania report
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #34 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Stillwater, OK, Oklahoma State University Main Campus is a public institution. Oklahoma State University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,110, compared with $25,630 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,000. Get the full Oklahoma State University Main Campus report
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus placed #36 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Pittsburgh, PA, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $21,926 in tuition and fees, compared with $41,430 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,000. More on University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #37 in this year's ranking. Set in Minneapolis, MN, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $21,700 in debt. Get the full University Of Minnesota Twin Cities report
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #38 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Seattle, WA, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public institution. University Of Washington Seattle Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. More on University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Temple University ranked #39 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. About 75% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, while out-of-state students pay about $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read more about Temple University
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor did well this year, earning the #40 position. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a public school based in Ann Arbor, MI. University Of Michigan Ann Arbor graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $17,875. More on University Of Michigan Ann Arbor
West Virginia University did well this year, earning the #41 position. Located in Morgantown, WV, West Virginia University is a public institution. Roughly 64% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $23,250. Get the full West Virginia University report
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #42 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. University Of Nevada Reno posts a six-year graduation rate of 61%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,578, with out-of-state students paying around $27,720. University Of Nevada Reno Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $23,250 in debt. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
California State University Sacramento ranked #43 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. This public school is set in Sacramento, CA. California State University Sacramento posts a six-year graduation rate of 56%. In-state tuition and fees run about $8,018, while out-of-state students pay about $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on California State University Sacramento
Baylor University ranked #44 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Located in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. Baylor University graduates 80% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $58,100 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $23,928 in student loans. Read the full report on Baylor University
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo landed the #45 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in San Luis Obispo, CA. About 86% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,161, compared with $33,230 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $15,000. Read more about California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Purdue University Main Campus ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in West Lafayette, IN, Purdue University Main Campus is a public institution. Purdue University Main Campus posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Purdue University Main Campus Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $16,000 in debt. See the full Purdue University Main Campus profile
The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey placed #47 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Galloway, NJ. The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey graduates 68% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $16,266, compared with $24,524 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $24,990. Read the full report on The Richard Stockton College Of New Jersey
Eastern Washington University came in at #48 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Cheney, WA. Eastern Washington University posts a six-year graduation rate of 44%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Eastern Washington University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $21,754 in debt. Read more about Eastern Washington University
Towson University ranked #49 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Towson, MD, Towson University is a public institution. Towson University posts a six-year graduation rate of 70%. 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. Read more about Towson University
University Of Houston came in at #51 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Houston, TX. University Of Houston posts a six-year graduation rate of 65%. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,717, compared with $22,547 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on University Of Houston
Hope College landed the #52 spot in the United States this year. Set in Holland, MI, Hope College is a private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 80%. In-state tuition and fees average $39,484. Graduates carry a median of $26,334 in student loans. More on Hope College
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #53 in this year's ranking. This private not-for-profit school is set in Rexburg, ID. About 50% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Read more about Brigham Young University Idaho
Related Geological And Earth Sciences Rankings
See rankings for other degree levels:
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Schools (All Levels)
- 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 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. The methodology weighs 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).