by our College Data Analytics TeamThe earth is magnificent place that holds so much history, and yet is constantly changing. If you would like to study the earth, from renewable energy sources to minerals and rock structures, a major in Geological and Earth Sciences may be for you.
Students who major in Geological and Earth Sciences take classes in biology, mineralogy, geochemistry, physical geology, and petrology in order to learn everything about the earth. They will study minerals, rocks, soil chemistry, and natural disasters like earthquakes and volcanoes. This major informs students about the earth's past, present and future.
Possible concentrations in this field include general Geology and Earth Science, Geochemistry, Geophysics and Seismology, Paleontology, Hydrology and Water Resources Science, Geochemistry and Petrology, Chemical and Physical Oceanography.
In 2020-2021, geological and earth sciences was the 95th most popular major nationwide with 7,821 degrees awarded. This 1,097 less than the prior year, a decrease of 14.0%.
Our 2023 Best Geological & Earth Sciences Schools ranking analyzes 184 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for geological and earth sciences students. Explore this or one of our many other custom geology rankings further below.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
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This major involves lot of science classes. Students will be expected to understand the chemical make-up of certain compositions, be able to perform experiments, and analyze data. Strong critical thinking and analytical skills will help you work on complex problems and draw conclusions from observations and data. Writing and communication skills are also important because scientists must be able to explain their findings to other people who do not have a background in Geological and Earth Sciences.
A degree in Geological and Earth Sciences typically leads to a full time career as a scientist. While you will spend time in offices and laboratories, you will also be expected to conduct fieldwork. This means traveling and putting in long and irregular hours for certain projects.
Previous experience is important in this field and employers often look for students who have gained both field and lab experience while working towards their degree. You can gain this experience through internships or summer field camp programs. These allow students to get hands-on experience conducting experiments, analyzing data, and incorporating classroom knowledge into a real world setting under the advisement of a professor.
Depending on where you decide to work, you may need to earn certification first. It is best to check state laws to ensure you are fulfilling all requirements, as these can vary.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Specific geology careers may require a certain level of degree attainment or additional certifications beyond that.
There are many different geology degree levels. You can spend many years getting as high as a in geological and earth sciences to something that takes less time like a . The type of geology degree you choose will determine how long it takes to get your diploma.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A master's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to geology, with approximately 36.2% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for geology workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Master’s Degree | 37.1% |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 28.4% |
| Doctoral Degree | 17.0% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 11.9% |
| Post-Baccalaureate Certificate | 5.2% |
About 63.4% of workers in careers related to geology obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in geological and earth sciences have received.
The education level required is different depending on the geology career you are seeking.
Geological and Earth Science graduates work in a variety of fields. Some have gone into the oil and gas industry, engineering firms, mining companies, environmental firms, and government agencies. Those with advanced degrees also perform independent research. Since many industries rely on the earth or interact with it in some way, Geological and Earth Science graduates have many career options.
Want a job when you graduate with your geology degree? Geological & Earth Sciences careers are expected to grow 10.9% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geological and earth sciences.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | 62,300 | 9.9% |
| Geoscientists | 36,500 | 14.1% |
| Chemistry Professors | 28,900 | 9.9% |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | 14,400 | 9.9% |
| Hydrologists | 7,400 | 10.4% |
Recently graduated geological and earth sciences students earned an average of $38,787 in 2019-2020. Earnings can range from as low as $20,625 to as high as $99,747. As you might expect, salaries for geology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for geological and earth sciences graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers geology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers | $139,680 |
| Geoscientists | $107,800 |
| Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Professors | $101,890 |
| Chemistry Professors | $92,360 |
| Hydrologists | $82,790 |
With over 1,382 different geology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased geology school rankings to help you with this.
Learn about other programs related to Geological & Earth Sciences that might interest you.
One of 8 majors within the Physical Sciences area of study, Geological & Earth Sciences has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geology & Earth Sciences | 6,024 |
| Other Geological & Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 767 |
| Chemical & Physical Oceanography | 508 |
| Geophysics & Seismology | 243 |
| Hydrology & Water Resources Science | 221 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Chemistry | 21,239 |
| Physics | 13,674 |
| General Physical Sciences | 3,823 |
| Astronomy & Astrophysics | 1,375 |
| Atmospheric Sciences & Meteorology | 1,140 |
