2026 Best Geological And Earth Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools
Looking for the best Geological And Earth Sciences doctoral degree programs in the United States? This list ranks 597 schools 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.
So you can compare your options, Course Advisor analyzed schools to compile 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 Doctoral Degree 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 doctoral degree schools in the United States. Set in Stanford, CA, Stanford University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 92% of students complete a degree within six years here. Students from in state pay about $65,910 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,492 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read more about Stanford University
A rank of #2 makes Northwestern University one of the top choices in the United States. Located in Evanston, IL, Northwestern University is a private not-for-profit institution. Northwestern University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees run about $68,322. Northwestern University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $16,616 in debt. Get the full Northwestern University report
A rank of #3 makes The University Of Texas At Austin one of the top choices in the United States. Set in Austin, TX, The University Of Texas At Austin is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $16,487. Get the full The University Of Texas At Austin report
You'll be in good company at University Of Chicago, which ranked #4 this year. This private not-for-profit school is set in Chicago, IL. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $69,324. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $15,854. See the full University Of Chicago profile
The strong Geological And Earth Sciences programs at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #5 place in the United States. Located in Champaign, IL, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. About 85% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,250. Read the full report on University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
University Of Wyoming placed #6 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Laramie, WY, University Of Wyoming is a public institution. University Of Wyoming graduates 59% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,700. Read the full report on University Of Wyoming
University Of California Berkeley landed the #7 spot in the United States this year. Located in Berkeley, CA, University Of California Berkeley is a public institution. University Of California Berkeley graduates 93% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,377, while out-of-state students pay about $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 California Santa Barbara came in at #8 in this year's ranking. Set in Santa Barbara, CA, University Of California Santa Barbara is a public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara posts a six-year graduation rate of 83%. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $21,800 in student loans. See the full University Of California Santa Barbara profile
University Of Maryland College Park placed #9 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in College Park, MD, University Of Maryland College Park is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $20,836. Read the full report on University Of Maryland College Park
Iowa State University did well this year, earning the #10 position. Iowa State University is a public school based in Ames, IA. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,787, compared with $28,881 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,250 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Get the full Iowa State University report
University Of Houston came in at #11 in this year's ranking. Based in Houston, TX, University Of Houston is a public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. 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. Get the full University Of Houston report
Cornell University placed #12 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Set in Ithaca, NY, Cornell University is a private not-for-profit institution. Cornell University posts a six-year graduation rate of 95%. In-state tuition and fees average $69,314. Cornell University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $15,005 in debt. Read the full report on Cornell University
Texas A And M University College Station did well this year, earning the #13 position. Set in College Station, TX, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $20,837. Read the full report on Texas A And M University College Station
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #14 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Minneapolis, MN. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities posts a six-year graduation rate of 85%. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $21,700. Read more about University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
Oklahoma State University Main Campus placed #15 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. Read the full report on Oklahoma State University Main Campus
University Of Nevada Reno landed the #16 spot in the United States this year. Set in Reno, NV, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 61%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,578, compared with $27,720 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $23,250 in student loans. See the full University Of Nevada Reno profile
Johns Hopkins University did well this year, earning the #17 position. Based in Baltimore, MD, Johns Hopkins University is a private not-for-profit institution. Johns Hopkins University graduates 94% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on Johns Hopkins University
Baylor University did well this year, earning the #18 position. Based in Waco, TX, Baylor University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,100. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $23,928. Get the full Baylor University report
Temple University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. This public school is set in Philadelphia, PA. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $23,005, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $26,259. Get the full Temple University report
University Of Delaware came in at #20 in this year's ranking. This public school is set in Newark, DE. University Of Delaware graduates 82% of students within six years. Students from in state pay about $16,810 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,400. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $24,861. Read the full report on University Of Delaware
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor landed the #21 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Ann Arbor, MI. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,848, while out-of-state students pay about $63,081. Students borrow a median of $17,875 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. See the full University Of Michigan Ann Arbor profile
University Of Colorado Boulder placed #22 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Boulder, CO. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,214, with out-of-state students paying around $42,970. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,000. See the full University Of Colorado Boulder profile
University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #23 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Located in Madison, WI, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 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 the full report on University Of Wisconsin Madison
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College did well this year, earning the #24 position. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a public school based in Baton Rouge, LA. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Graduates carry a median of $19,500 in student loans. Get the full Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College report
West Virginia University ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. West Virginia University is a public school based in Morgantown, WV. West Virginia University graduates 64% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $10,104, compared with $28,608 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,250. Read more about West Virginia University
Rest of the Top 50 Best Geological And Earth Sciences Doctoral Degree Schools in the United States
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s ranking:
Colorado School Of Mines ranked #26 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Based in Golden, CO, Colorado School Of Mines is a public institution. Roughly 82% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $21,914, with out-of-state students paying around $45,824. Students borrow a median of $24,521 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. See the full Colorado School Of Mines profile
Purdue University Main Campus placed #27 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Purdue University Main Campus is a public school based in West Lafayette, IN. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $16,000. Get the full Purdue University Main Campus report
Ohio State University Main Campus placed #28 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Columbus, OH. About 88% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees run about $13,244, with out-of-state students paying around $40,022. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $26,000. See the full Ohio State University Main Campus profile
Indiana University Bloomington placed #29 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Bloomington is a public institution. About 80% of students finish within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $12,144, with out-of-state students paying around $41,891. Indiana University Bloomington Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $20,542 in debt. See the full Indiana University Bloomington profile
University Of Massachusetts Amherst did well this year, earning the #30 position. Set in Amherst, MA, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $25,234. See the full University Of Massachusetts Amherst profile
Texas Tech University did well this year, earning the #31 position. Set in Lubbock, TX, Texas Tech University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Graduates carry a median of $25,750 in student loans. Get the full Texas Tech University report
Michigan State University ranked #32 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Located in East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University is a public institution. Roughly 81% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $29,869. More on Michigan State University
Colorado State University Fort Collins ranked #33 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public school based in Fort Collins, CO. Roughly 66% of students complete a degree within six years here. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,373, with out-of-state students paying around $35,061. Colorado State University Fort Collins Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $26,028 in debt. Get the full Colorado State University Fort Collins report
University Of Rochester came in at #34 in this year's ranking. Located in Rochester, NY, University Of Rochester is a private not-for-profit institution. University Of Rochester graduates 85% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $67,080. Students borrow a median of $21,517 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read more about University Of Rochester
George Mason University ranked #35 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Set in Fairfax, VA, George Mason University is a public institution. George Mason University posts a six-year graduation rate of 68%. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. George Mason University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $23,529 in debt. Get the full George Mason University report
Boston University did well this year, earning the #36 position. Based in Boston, MA, Boston University is a private not-for-profit institution. About 89% of students finish within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,102. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $25,232. More on Boston University
University Of Florida landed the #37 spot in the United States this year. This public school is set in Gainesville, FL. The six-year graduation rate is 91%. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $24,757. Read the full report on University Of Florida
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University did well this year, earning the #38 position. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public school based in Blacksburg, VA. About 86% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, while out-of-state students pay about $37,764. Graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. See the full Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University profile
University Of Iowa placed #39 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Iowa City, IA, University Of Iowa is a public institution. About 75% of students finish within six years. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,371. University Of Iowa Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $24,463 in debt. Get the full University Of Iowa report
University Of Connecticut came in at #40 in this year's ranking. Located in Storrs, CT, University Of Connecticut is a public institution. Roughly 83% of students complete a degree within six years here. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. See the full University Of Connecticut profile
University Of California Santa Cruz landed the #41 spot in the United States this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a public school based in Santa Cruz, CA. University Of California Santa Cruz graduates 75% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,035, compared with $46,923 for out-of-state students. University Of California Santa Cruz Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $20,833 in debt. See the full University Of California Santa Cruz profile
University Of Nevada Las Vegas placed #42 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. This public school is set in Las Vegas, NV. University Of Nevada Las Vegas posts a six-year graduation rate of 50%. Students from in state pay about $9,748 in tuition and fees, compared with $27,411 for out-of-state students. The median Geological And Earth Sciences program debt is $16,298. Read the full report on University Of Nevada Las Vegas
University Of Illinois At Chicago placed #43 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. Based in Chicago, IL, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a public institution. University Of Illinois At Chicago graduates 62% of students within six years. In-state tuition and fees average $15,949, while out-of-state students pay about $32,009. University Of Illinois At Chicago Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $27,000 in debt. More on University Of Illinois At Chicago
University Of Idaho landed the #44 spot in the United States this year. Based in Moscow, ID, University Of Idaho is a public institution. University Of Idaho graduates 57% of students within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, with out-of-state students paying around $28,320. Typical Geological And Earth Sciences student debt is $23,844. Read the full report on University Of Idaho
San Diego State University did well this year, earning the #45 position. San Diego State University is a public school based in San Diego, CA. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. San Diego State University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $21,500 in debt. See the full San Diego State University profile
Florida Atlantic University ranked #46 on our 2026 list of the best Geological And Earth Sciences schools. Located in Boca Raton, FL, Florida Atlantic University is a public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 63%. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,212 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on Florida Atlantic University
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill did well this year, earning the #47 position. Based in Chapel Hill, NC, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. About 91% of students finish within six years. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read the full report on University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #48 spot in the United States this year. Based in Columbia, MO, University Of Missouri Columbia is a public institution. University Of Missouri Columbia graduates 75% of students within six years. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,837, while out-of-state students pay about $36,056. University Of Missouri Columbia Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $21,818 in debt. See the full University Of Missouri Columbia profile
Syracuse University landed the #49 spot in the United States this year. Based in Syracuse, NY, Syracuse University is a private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees average $65,528. Syracuse University Geological And Earth Sciences students take on a median of $26,130 in debt. More on Syracuse University
University Of California San Diego placed #50 among Geological And Earth Sciences schools in the United States. University Of California San Diego is a public school based in La Jolla, CA. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. In-state tuition and fees run about $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Students borrow a median of $17,101 to complete their Geological And Earth Sciences program here. Read more about University Of California San Diego
Related Geological And Earth Sciences Rankings
Compare rankings at 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 Bachelor’s Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Graduate Certificate Degree Schools
- Best Geological And Earth Sciences Master’s Degree Schools
Ranking Methodology & Notes
These rankings are produced 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).
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