Geology and Earth Science: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Explore the dynamic systems that shape our planet through a comprehensive study of Earth’s structure, composition, and evolution. This program equips students with the analytical and field-based skills needed to investigate geological processes and their impacts on natural environments and human society.
- Historical Geology: Examine Earth’s past through rock layers and fossil records to reconstruct the planet’s evolutionary timeline and major geological events.
- Geomorphology: Study the formation and transformation of landforms through processes like erosion, tectonics, and weathering across diverse landscapes.
- Sedimentology: Analyze the origin, transport, and deposition of sediments to understand past environments and the development of sedimentary rock formations.
- Geochemistry of Rocks and Soils: Investigate the chemical composition and reactions of Earth materials to interpret their origins and environmental behavior.
- Stratigraphy: Apply principles of rock layering to interpret geological history, including depositional environments and chronological sequences.
- Mineralogy: Study the physical and chemical properties of minerals, their crystal structures, and their roles in rock formation.
- Petrology: Examine the origin, classification, and evolution of igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks through field and laboratory analysis.
- Geostatistics: Apply statistical methods to model spatial variability in geological data for resource estimation and risk assessment.
- Volcanology: Explore the mechanisms and impacts of volcanic activity, including magma dynamics, eruption types, and hazard mitigation.
- Glaciology: Investigate the formation, movement, and environmental influence of glaciers and ice sheets, particularly in climate change contexts.
- Geophysical Principles: Utilize physical methods such as seismic, magnetic, and gravitational surveys to probe Earth’s subsurface structure and composition.
- Applied Research and Industry Applications: Develop solutions to real-world challenges in energy, mining, environmental management, and infrastructure planning using geological expertise.
Geology and Earth Science Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Geology and Earth Science Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Geology and Earth Science degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 150,290 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1051 | $101,390 | $53,310 - $199,260 | 11,480 | N/A |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers 19-2042 | $99,240 | $58,790 - $178,880 | 22,510 | $47.71 |
| Hydrologists 19-2043 | $92,060 | $60,010 - $139,420 | 5,720 | $44.26 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians 19-4043 | $48,390 | $32,830 - $92,210 | 9,710 | $23.27 |
Geology and Earth Science Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $73,813 in Louisiana to $164,650 in District of Columbia—a 123% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 150,290 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Geology and Earth Science by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 100 institutions offering Geology and Earth Science programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Geology and Earth Science is found at Mississippi State University (MSU) (147 graduates), Washington State University (WSU) (119 graduates), University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (74 graduates), Columbia University in the City of New York (73 graduates), and University of California (UCI), Irvine (71 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 3,509 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
147 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Washington State University (WSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
119 | Pullman, Washington | Public | wsu.edu |
| University of Michigan (U‑M) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
74 | Ann Arbor, Michigan | Public | umich.edu |
| Columbia University in the City of New York |
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
73 | New York, New York | Private | columbia.edu |
| University of California (UCI) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
71 | Irvine, California | Public | uci.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
70 | Austin, Texas | Public | utexas.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
68 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of California (UCSC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| Purdue University (PU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
67 | West Lafayette, Indiana | Public | purdue.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Charlotte |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
65 | Charlotte, North Carolina | Public | charlotte.edu |
| Texas A & M University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
65 | College Station, Texas | Public | tamu.edu |
| Montana State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
64 | Bozeman, Montana | Public | montana.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
63 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Western Washington University (WWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
59 | Bellingham, Washington | Public | wwu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
Doctorate (Research)
|
55 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| University of California (UCSB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
53 | Santa Barbara, California | Public | ucsb.edu |
| University of California (UCSD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
51 | La Jolla, California | Public | ucsd.edu |
| Ohio University (OHIO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50 | Athens, Ohio | Public | ohio.edu |
| University of Houston (UH) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
48 | Houston, Texas | Public | uh.edu |
| Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (CU) |
Bachelor's
|
43 | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania | Public | commonwealthu.edu |
| University of South Florida (USF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
42 | Tampa, Florida | Public | usf.edu |
| University of Hawaii (UHM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
41 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Public | manoa.hawaii.edu |
| University of Colorado Boulder (CU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
40 | Boulder, Colorado | Public | colorado.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Bachelor's
|
40 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
38 | Blacksburg, Virginia | Public | vt.edu |
| University of Minnesota (UMN) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
37 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Public | twin-cities.umn.edu |
| Colorado State University (CSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
36 | Fort Collins, Colorado | Public | colostate.edu |
| Brown University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
36 | Providence, Rhode Island | Private | brown.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
35 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
35 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Texas Tech University (TTU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Lubbock, Texas | Public | ttu.edu |
| Miami University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
33 | Oxford, Ohio | Public | miamioh.edu |
| East Tennessee State University (ETSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
33 | Johnson City, Tennessee | Public | etsu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
33 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| University of Oregon (UO) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
32 | Eugene, Oregon | Public | uoregon.edu |
| Yale University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | New Haven, Connecticut | Private | yale.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Amherst, Massachusetts | Public | umass.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
31 | Murfreesboro, Tennessee | Public | mtsu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
31 | Madison, Wisconsin | Public | wisc.edu |
| California State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
29 | Sacramento, California | Public | csus.edu |
| University of Florida (UF) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
29 | Gainesville, Florida | Public | ufl.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Bachelor's
|
29 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Champaign, Illinois | Public | illinois.edu |
| University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
29 | Chapel Hill, North Carolina | Public | unc.edu |
| Florida International University (FIU) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Miami, Florida | Public | fiu.edu |
| University of New Mexico (UNM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
28 | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Public | unm.edu |
| Boise State University (BBU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
27 | Boise, Idaho | Public | boisestate.edu |
| CUNY Graduate School and University Center |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | New York, New York | Public | gc.cuny.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| University of Memphis (UofM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | memphis.edu |
| West Virginia University (WVU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Morgantown, West Virginia | Public | wvu.edu |
| Murray State University (MSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
26 | Murray, Kentucky | Public | murraystate.edu |
| Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College (LSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Baton Rouge, Louisiana | Public | lsu.edu |
| Rutgers University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | New Brunswick, New Jersey | Public | newbrunswick.rutgers.edu |
| Northern Arizona University (NAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
25 | Flagstaff, Arizona | Public | nau.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
25 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Kent State University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Kent, Ohio | Public | kent.edu |
| Vanderbilt University (VU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
25 | Nashville, Tennessee | Private | vanderbilt.edu |
| California State Polytechnic University (CPP) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Pomona, California | Public | cpp.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| CUNY Brooklyn College |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | Brooklyn, New York | Public | brooklyn.cuny.edu |
| West Chester University of Pennsylvania (WCU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
24 | West Chester, Pennsylvania | Public | wcupa.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
24 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| The University of Alabama (UA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Tuscaloosa, Alabama | Public | ua.edu |
| University of California (UCD) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Davis, California | Public | ucdavis.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Reno, Nevada | Public | unr.edu |
| Binghamton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Vestal, New York | Public | binghamton.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| The University of Tennessee |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Knoxville, Tennessee | Public | utk.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
23 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| Appalachian State University (App State) |
Bachelor's
|
22 | Boone, North Carolina | Public | appstate.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
22 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
22 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Public | uwm.edu |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion (ASU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Other Award
|
21 | Tempe, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| University of California (UCLA) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Los Angeles, California | Public | ucla.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
21 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| University of Missouri (Mizzou) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Columbia, Missouri | Public | missouri.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| Syracuse University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Syracuse, New York | Private | syracuse.edu |
| The University of Texas |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
21 | Richardson, Texas | Public | utdallas.edu |
| James Madison University (JMU) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Public | jmu.edu |
| University of Wisconsin (UWEC) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
21 | Eau Claire, Wisconsin | Public | uwec.edu |
| University of Puerto Rico (UPRM) |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Mayaguez, Puerto Rico | Public | uprm.edu |
| Indiana University (IUB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Bloomington, Indiana | Public | indiana.edu |
| Kansas State University (K‑State) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Manhattan, Kansas | Public | k-state.edu |
| Bowdoin College |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Brunswick, Maine | Private | bowdoin.edu |
| East Carolina University (ECU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Greenville, North Carolina | Public | ecu.edu |
| University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Wilmington, North Carolina | Public | uncw.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| William & Mary (W&M) |
Bachelor's
|
20 | Williamsburg, Virginia | Public | wm.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
20 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
| University of California (UCB) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Berkeley, California | Public | berkeley.edu |
| University of California (UCR) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Riverside, California | Public | ucr.edu |
| Florida State University (FSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Tallahassee, Florida | Public | fsu.edu |
| The University of Montana (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Missoula, Montana | Public | umt.edu |
| Princeton University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
19 | Princeton, New Jersey | Private | princeton.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Geology and Earth Science programs
How much can I earn with a Geology and Earth Science degree?
Salaries for Geology and Earth Science graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary earn around $101,390. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $164,650 compared to $73,813 in Louisiana. Approximately 150,290 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Geology and Earth Science programs?
Currently 435 accredited institutions offer Geology and Earth Science degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Mississippi State University (MSU) (147 graduates), Washington State University (WSU) (119 graduates), and University of Michigan (U‑M), Ann Arbor (74 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Geology and Earth Science growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 5,124 in 2010 to a peak of 7,038 in 2020, before declining slightly to 5,715 in 2023-24. This represents a 12% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Geology and Earth Science degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, and Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers. Related occupations employ approximately 150,290 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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