Earth Sciences: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Earth Sciences is an interdisciplinary field dedicated to understanding the dynamic processes that shape our planet, from its deep interior to its surface and atmosphere. This program equips students with a comprehensive foundation in the physical, chemical, and biological systems that govern Earth’s evolution over time.
- Geology: The study of Earth’s solid materials, including rocks, minerals, and the structural features formed by tectonic forces, volcanic activity, and erosion.
- Geomorphology: The examination of landforms and the processes—such as weathering, erosion, and sedimentation—that create and modify Earth’s surface features.
- Paleontology: The scientific investigation of ancient life through fossil records, offering insights into evolutionary history and past environmental conditions.
- Stratigraphy: The analysis of layered rock formations to interpret geological time, depositional environments, and the sequence of Earth’s history.
- Hydrogeology: The study of groundwater systems, including flow dynamics, aquifer characteristics, and the role of water in shaping geological landscapes.
- Environmental Geoscience: An applied focus on how geological processes interact with human activities, addressing issues like resource management, pollution, and natural hazards.
- Geophysics: The use of physical principles and instrumentation to explore Earth’s interior, including seismic, gravitational, and magnetic methods.
Earth Sciences Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Earth Sciences Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Earth Sciences 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 134,860 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 |
Earth Sciences Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $72,340 in Louisiana to $164,650 in District of Columbia—a 128% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, California, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 134,860 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 Earth Sciences by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 87 institutions offering Earth Sciences 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 Earth Sciences is found at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (91 graduates), Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (48 graduates), Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (46 graduates), University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus (35 graduates), and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), Main Campus (34 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 863 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) |
Bachelor's
|
91 | Manchester, New Hampshire | Private | snhu.edu |
| Florida Atlantic University (FAU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
48 | Boca Raton, Florida | Public | fau.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Bachelor's
|
46 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
35 | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Public | pitt.edu |
| Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
34 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gatech.edu |
| California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) |
Bachelor's
|
31 | San Luis Obispo, California | Public | calpoly.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
27 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Stanford University |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
26 | Stanford, California | Private | stanford.edu |
| Georgia State University |
Master's
|
25 | Atlanta, Georgia | Public | gsu.edu |
| Cornell University |
Bachelor's
|
21 | Ithaca, New York | Private | cornell.edu |
| Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Willimantic, Connecticut | Public | easternct.edu |
| Missouri State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
19 | Springfield, Missouri | Public | missouristate.edu |
| Lehigh University |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
19 | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania | Private | lehigh.edu |
| University of Washington (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
19 | Seattle, Washington | Public | washington.edu |
| University of Rhode Island (URI) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Kingston, Rhode Island | Public | web.uri.edu |
| Old Dominion University (ODU) |
Bachelor's
|
18 | Norfolk, Virginia | Public | odu.edu |
| The University of Texas (UTSA) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Other Award
|
16 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | utsa.edu |
| Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
15 | Rolla, Missouri | Public | mst.edu |
| Columbus State University |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Columbus, Georgia | Public | columbusstate.edu |
| Salisbury University (SU) |
Bachelor's
|
14 | Salisbury, Maryland | Public | salisbury.edu |
| Bowling Green State University (BGSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
14 | Bowling Green, Ohio | Public | bgsu.edu |
| California State University (CSUF) |
Bachelor's
|
13 | Fullerton, California | Public | fullerton.edu |
| Eastern Washington University (EWU) |
Bachelor's
Other Award
|
13 | Cheney, Washington | Public | ewu.edu |
| Michigan Technological University (MTU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Houghton, Michigan | Public | mtu.edu |
| University at Buffalo (UB) |
Bachelor's
|
12 | Buffalo, New York | Public | buffalo.edu |
| Dartmouth College |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Hanover, New Hampshire | Private | dartmouth.edu |
| University of Wyoming (UW) |
Bachelor's
|
11 | Laramie, Wyoming | Public | uwyo.edu |
| Colorado School of Mines |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
9 | Golden, Colorado | Public | mines.edu |
| Tulane University of Louisiana |
Bachelor's
|
9 | New Orleans, Louisiana | Private | tulane.edu |
| University of Maine (UMF) |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Farmington, Maine | Public | umf.maine.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
9 | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Public | upj.pitt.edu |
| San Francisco State University (SFSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
8 | San Francisco, California | Public | sfsu.edu |
| Brigham Young University (BYU–I) |
Bachelor's
|
8 | Rexburg, Idaho | Private | byui.edu |
| Western Kentucky University (WKU) |
Other Award
|
8 | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Public | wku.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
7 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| University of Miami (UM) |
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Coral Gables, Florida | Private | miami.edu |
| Hobart William Smith Colleges (HWS) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Geneva, New York | Private | hws.edu |
| Duke University |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Durham, North Carolina | Private | duke.edu |
| College of Charleston (CofC) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Charleston, South Carolina | Public | cofc.edu |
| Clemson University |
Master's
|
6 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) |
Bachelor's
|
6 | Fort Myers, Florida | Public | fgcu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Bachelor's
Master's
|
5 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Montana Technological University (Montana Tech) |
Master's
|
5 | Butte, Montana | Public | mtech.edu |
| Stony Brook University (SBU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Stony Brook, New York | Public | stonybrook.edu |
| University of Pennsylvania (Penn) |
Master's
|
5 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | upenn.edu |
| Lamar University (LU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | Beaumont, Texas | Public | lamar.edu |
| George Mason University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
5 | Fairfax, Virginia | Public | www2.gmu.edu |
| Whitman College |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Walla Walla, Washington | Private | whitman.edu |
| Lawrence University |
Bachelor's
|
5 | Appleton, Wisconsin | Private | lawrence.edu |
| Sonoma State University (SSU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Rohnert Park, California | Public | sonoma.edu |
| Towson University (TU) |
Bachelor's
|
4 | Towson, Maryland | Public | towson.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Mississippi State University (MSU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Mississippi State, Mississippi | Public | msstate.edu |
| Ohio State University |
Other Award
|
4 | Columbus, Ohio | Public | osu.edu |
| Auburn University (AU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
3 | Auburn, Alabama | Public | auburn.edu |
| California State University (CSUDH) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Carson, California | Public | csudh.edu |
| California State University (CSUEB) |
Master's
|
3 | Hayward, California | Public | csueastbay.edu |
| Eckerd College |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Saint Petersburg, Florida | Private | eckerd.edu |
| Illinois State University (ISU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Normal, Illinois | Public | illinoisstate.edu |
| University of New Hampshire (UNH) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Durham, New Hampshire | Public | unh.edu |
| Utica University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Utica, New York | Private | utica.edu |
| Drexel University |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) |
Bachelor's
|
3 | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania | Private | harrisburgu.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
3 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | worldcampus.psu.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Louisiana (UL Lafayette) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
2 | Lafayette, Louisiana | Public | louisiana.edu |
| Marietta College |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Marietta, Ohio | Private | marietta.edu |
| University of Pittsburgh |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Bradford, Pennsylvania | Public | upb.pitt.edu |
| Utah Valley University (UVU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Orem, Utah | Public | uvu.edu |
| University of Alaska (UAA) |
Master's
|
1 | Anchorage, Alaska | Public | uaa.alaska.edu |
| University of Arizona |
Master's
|
1 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | arizona.edu |
| California Lutheran University (CLU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Thousand Oaks, California | Private | callutheran.edu |
| California State University |
Master's
|
1 | Chico, California | Public | csuchico.edu |
| California State University (CSULB) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Long Beach, California | Public | csulb.edu |
| University of Connecticut (UConn) |
Master's
|
1 | Storrs, Connecticut | Public | uconn.edu |
| Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech) |
Master's
|
1 | Melbourne, Florida | Private | fit.edu |
| Northern Illinois University (NIU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Dekalb, Illinois | Public | niu.edu |
| Emporia State University (ESU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Emporia, Kansas | Public | emporia.edu |
| University of Maine (UMaine) |
Master's
|
1 | Orono, Maine | Public | umaine.edu |
| Union College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Schenectady, New York | Private | union.edu |
| Denison University (DU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Granville, Ohio | Private | denison.edu |
| Wittenberg University |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Springfield, Ohio | Private | wittenberg.edu |
| Allegheny College |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Meadville, Pennsylvania | Private | allegheny.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
|
1 | Media, Pennsylvania | Public | brandywine.psu.edu |
| University of Utah (U of U) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Salt Lake City, Utah | Public | utah.edu |
| Central Washington University (CWU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Ellensburg, Washington | Public | cwu.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Earth Sciences programs
How much can I earn with a Earth Sciences degree?
Salaries for Earth Sciences 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 $72,340 in Louisiana. Approximately 134,860 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 Earth Sciences programs?
Currently 87 accredited institutions offer Earth Sciences degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) (91 graduates), Florida Atlantic University (FAU) (48 graduates), and Pennsylvania State University, Main Campus (46 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 Earth Sciences growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 519 in 2010 to a peak of 890 in 2020, before declining slightly to 863 in 2023-24. This represents a 66% 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 Earth Sciences 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 134,860 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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