### SUMMARY

 A degree in Earth Sciences is a valuable choice and generally a necessary first step for undergraduates intending to enter a career as a geophysicists, a seismologist, or a mineralogist. In fact, nationally, earth sciences is of average popularity coming in at the 70th most popular major. Last year, there were 6,574 earth sciences diplomas received. In-state tuition for earth sciences at private colleges is, on average, 4.9 times more spendy than their public fellows.

 There are 456 institutions which offer earth sciences. This number of universities is fairly average in terms of the number of institutions which offer each degree. If you're looking to surround yourself with other earth sciences students, consider looking at colleges in California which have the most undergrads admitted to earth sciences annually. Zooming out, the top region to study earth sciences is in the Far West region with [Washington State University](/colleges/washington-state-university), [University of Washington-Seattle Campus](/colleges/university-of-washington-seattle-campus), and [Western Washington University](/colleges/western-washington-university) best representing the region. Interestingly, our selection of the best conference to study earth sciences is the Pacific-12 Conference with [University of Colorado Boulder](/colleges/university-of-colorado-boulder), [Washington State University](/colleges/washington-state-university), and [University of Washington-Seattle Campus](/colleges/university-of-washington-seattle-campus) representing the conference. From our comprehensive list of the [best colleges](/rankings/best-colleges), our choice for the best university for earth sciences is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university).

 The objectively 'best' school does not have to be the 'best' school for you. There might be tons more angels to consider when selecting school. External stuff like campus amenities, transportation services, and food might definitely impact one's thoughts on where to go to university. Here at authority.org, we have evaluated the pros and cons for you. If, for example, you are interested in which earth sciences school boasts the best campus, the answer is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). If, for example, you are mostly interested in which school boasts the top campus, we have an entire list [dedicated to that](/rankings/best-college-campuses). We have carefully pored through government databases, student reviews, professor reviews, and more so we can compare all U.S. majors in an unbiased and informative way. You can find our well researched list for the universities with the [best student life](/rankings/best-student-life)&nbsphere and, from that list, our pick of the school with the best student life for earth sciences is [Cornell University](/colleges/cornell-university). Are you curious why? Continue scrolling to learn more about Authority's top selections. Many of our picks will probably shock you.

 If cost is a primary factor in your decisions, you might be cautious about [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york). [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york)&nbspis our most expensive university for earth sciences, at least regarding out of state attendance. That being said, we have an entire list of the [most expensive](/rankings/most-expensive-colleges)&nbspcolleges that could put the expense at [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york)&nbspinto perspective. Additionally, you may care to know that earth sciences is the 38th most expensive degree in the nation, with an average associated cost of $50,900. To zoom out a little, the most costly state for earth sciences in the country is Vermont with expenses at the main two colleges Middlebury College and University of Vermont of $55,790 and $41,280 respectively. Even more broadly, the most expensive region of the U.S. for earth sciences is the New England region which is best demonstrated with [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with a cost of $57,324, [Williams College](/colleges/williams-college) with a cost of $56,970, and [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university) with a cost of $57,112.

 Our cheapest region for earth sciences is the Rocky Mountains region which is represented by [Brigham Young University-Idaho](/colleges/brigham-young-university-idaho) with a cost of $4,208, [Brigham Young University-Provo](/colleges/brigham-young-university-provo) with a cost of $5,790, and [Weber State University](/colleges/weber-state-university) with a cost of $14,973. In better news, the most affordable school for earth sciences is [Mississippi State University](/colleges/mississippi-state-university). Authority.org's full list of the most affordable schools can be explored [here](/rankings/most-affordable-colleges).

 In-state learners can expect to pay around $10,200 for a degree in earth sciences. That price swells intensely to a median of $24,400 for the out-of-state public-school student. Our pick for the school representing the best value for earth sciences: [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). Here you will see our comprehensive list of the colleges we see as being the [best value](/rankings/best-value-colleges)&nbspin general. Bear in mind, this discussion is based on being an out-of-state student. A discussion of value changes when it comes to in-state tuition, but we do not know where you live (and are not trying to collect that kind of data).

 Earnings for earth sciences students can cover a wide range, but two-years after graduation graduates will typically make in the neighborhood of $56,000. While there is a lot of variation in earnings potential; highest paid earners can bring in up to $110,200. Even right out of college, the lowest end positions within the earth sciences field earn $28,000, which is an alright wage. The highest earning graduates for earth sciences studied at [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university)&nbspand if you want to find the colleges with all of the [highest earning graduates](/rankings/highest-earning-graduates), Authority has that too.

 The overall diversity of earth sciences sits subpar, being within the 48th percentile of all programs. The school with the highest composite diversity for earth sciences is [Brown University](/colleges/brown-university)&nbspand here you can find our comprehensive list of the schools with the [most diversity](/rankings/most-diverse-colleges). The financial diversity of Earth Sciences ranks only in the 44th percentile compared to all other majors. Racial diversity is even lower in the 40th percentile. White undergraduates make up the largest share, 65%, of those majoring in earth sciences. Additionally, 56% of undergrads pursuing an earth sciences degree are men.

 The median ranking for earth sciences professors is 3.9 stars, which is 2% worse than the average across all majors; which is a subpar ranking. If you want the most popular earth sciences professor in the country, consider looking up Isabelle Sacramentogrilo from [San Diego State University](/colleges/san-diego-state-university). It might surprise you, but the highest ranked earth sciences professors from student rankings come from [Santa Monica College](/colleges/santa-monica-college). If we incorporate data other than simply rankings it becomes clear that the college possessing comprehensively the best professors for earth sciences is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). One can find more detail on our ever evolving ranking methodology of the [best overall professors here](/rankings/best-professors), along with many of the best examples of professors in the country.

 Finally, the hardest school to get into for earth sciences is [Stanford University](/colleges/stanford-university). While we are unsure why you would be interested, we have a comprehensive list of the [hardest colleges to get into](/rankings/hardest-colleges-to-get-into). That being said, we do hope you believe that considering college from examples primarily shaped by superlatives could be said to be the root of many of higher education's fundamental issues. We hope you look at some of our other pages on different topics and read a couple of our background pages on useful things to look out for as you continue your school search.



 ### POPULARITY

 Earth sciences is the 70th most popular degree in America, with 6,574 students receiving their bachelors degree last year. It just beat out #71 [International Business](/rankings/best-colleges-for-international-business), and narrowly lost to #69 [Animal Sciences](/rankings/best-colleges-for-animal-sciences).

 The degree is offered at a total of 456 colleges across the nation, and is the 45th most widely offered degree. Given that earth sciences is offered at 71% of the Top 100 [Best Colleges](/rankings/best-colleges) in America, you can be sure this is a critical degree and the skillsets acquired are likely to last for a long time.

 It is also worth noting that just below 75% of colleges offering earth sciences are public making it a quite accessible field.

 The far west produces the most earth sciences graduates, largely led by [Washington State University](/colleges/washington-state-university), while it’s the Pacific-12 Conference that leads conference totals. As far as states, California ranks highest, with particular help from [California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo](/colleges/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo) and [University of California-Santa Barbara](/colleges/university-of-california-santa-barbara).

 All that being said, no individual school produces more earth sciences graduates than [Arizona State University-Tempe](/colleges/arizona-state-university-tempe), which graduated 151 students last year alone. Although size is critical, another important factor to consider is the program’s density (the percent of all students that study earth sciences). More students studied earth sciences as a percentage of total students at [United States Coast Guard Academy](/colleges/united-states-coast-guard-academy) than any other college.



 ### COST

 Earth sciences is the 38th most expensive degree in America, with a median cost of $50,872 amongst the top 50 programs.

 New England has the most expensive schools with top of the line earth sciences programs predominantly led by [Tufts University](/colleges/tufts-university) with an annual cost of $57,324. Vermont is the most expensive state for earth sciences led by [Middlebury College](/colleges/middlebury-college) and [University of Vermont](/colleges/university-of-vermont).

 Public schools with solid programs generally charge 79.47% less than private schools for in-state students. When looking at out-of-state tuition however, the median top 50 Public school charges 50.96% less than the median private school. So make sure to look into public shools in your state ASAP.

 The most expensive top 25 college for earth sciences is [Columbia University in the City of New York](/colleges/columbia-university-in-the-city-of-new-york), which is the 3rd most expensive college in America. The most affordable option in the top 100 is [Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College](/colleges/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college). It costs just $8,038 per year, and it's ranked 41st for its earth sciences program. If you’re looking for the least expensive option in the top 25, [University of Houston](/colleges/university-of-houston)  could be for you, ranked #25 with an in-state cost of just $8,219. Another more affordable option would be #11, [Mississippi State University](/colleges/mississippi-state-university) in Oktibbeha County, MS with a cost of $8,800 for in-state students and $23,840 for out-of-state students.



### SALARY

 College is a major investment for most students. It's critical to ensure you justify your spend. It is our goal that the following job placement and earnings information help you make a well informed decision when selecting your focus.

 The average Earth Sciences alumni brings in a first year salary of $41,384 a year (close to national median 43rd percentile). Later on in their vocations, they can make up to $110,225 down to $27,961, but average about $56,010. Just so you know, that is 45% more than the United States' average.

 The most common job title for an Earth Sciences graduate is Service Technician, which commonly make close to $26,000; next are Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Medical Assistant, which often make about $49,000 and $25,000 respectively.

 The Mid East has the highest grossing Earth Sciences graduates. WI has the most well paid Earth Sciences alumni of any state.



### PROFESSORS

 Fast Facts for Earth Sciences: Median Professor Rating: 3.9 / 5, which is below average.

 Professors repeatedly have a big impact your college experience, regardless of your primary focus. A great teacher can help a student find their passion and set you up for future success. On the other hand, a bad professor can cause a lot of stress or even worse... flunk you!

 Professors of Earth Sciences have a median student rating of 3.9 / 5, which puts them in the upper 73rd percentile in the United States based on overall professor effectivness. For context that's 2.5% under the national median professor rating for all subjects. Professors of Earth Sciences barely out-ranked those from ["Biological and Physical Sciences"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-biological-and-physical-sciences), whereas ["Geography and Cartography"](/rankings/best-colleges-for-geography-and-cartography)&nbspprofessors ranked one slot above Earth Sciences.

 Now for some statistics about Earth Sciences professors. Colleges located in distant rural areas tend to have the best Earth Sciences professors. The Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation has the highest rated Earth Sciences professors. The Far West region has the highest rated Earth Sciences professors. Private universities tend to have higher rated Earth Sciences professors than public colleges. Finally, Hawaii has the highest rated Earth Sciences professors in the United States.

 Isabelle Sacramentogrilo, instructor at [San Diego State University](/colleges/san-diego-state-university)&nbspin San Diego, CA is the most popular Earth Sciences professor in the United States. Josh Fairbanks, instructor at [Tarrant County College District](/colleges/tarrant-county-college-district)&nbspin Fort Worth, TX is the highest rated Earth Sciences professor in the US, with a rating of 5 / 5.

 Take a look at which institutions have the [Best Professors](/rankings/best-professors)!



### STUDENTS

 College often can be an exceedingly momentous time of one's life; it is a chance for personal growth and maturation. Scholars attempt to capture what they can become and develop many of the required skills to be a prosperous adult. But growth is more than what one learns in a classroom environment - the late nights discussing Thoreau with a classmate, the funny story gained from a tenured instructor, the exposure to a different approach. Therefore, attending a diverse college tremendously enriches what one gains from the time at university.

 Earth Sciences is a less ethnically diverse major than average\*. 65% of the nation's Earth Sciences majors are white students, followed by students of other races\*\*(18%), latino students (10%), and asian students (5%). The most ethnically diverse college\* in the top 100 is [University of California-Irvine](/colleges/university-of-california-irvine)&nbspin Irvine, CA.

 In addition, Earth Sciences slightly skews male, with 44% of majors identifying as men. [Middlebury College](/colleges/middlebury-college) in Middlebury, VT has the most gender balanced student body in the top 100.

 Another substantial type of diversity is income diversity. Earth Sciences ranks pretty close to the middle of the pack for class diversity (56th percentile). 31% of its majors come from homes who earn more than $110,000 a year, 16% are from middle income households, and 23% grew up in households that earn under $30,000 a year. [Northland College](/colleges/northland-college) is the most financially diverse institution in the top 100.

 Considering each type of diversity, overall MD is the most diverse state for Earth Sciences. The Southwest is the most diverse region, and the Big West Conference is the most diverse conference.

   \* diversity calculations and comparisons are based on [Simpson's Diversity Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diversity_index)   
  \*\* other races is used to refer to non asian, black, latino, or white

  #### Diversity Statistics

  ##### Racial Diversity

 * Asian: 5%
* Black: 2%
* Latino: 10%
* White: 65%
* Other: 18%
  ##### Gender Diversity

 * Male: 56%
* Female: 44%
  ##### Socioeconomic Diversity (By Household Income)

 * Under 30k: 23%
* 30k - 48k: 15%
* 48k - 75k: 16%
* 75k - 110k: 15%
* Over 110k: 31%
  ##### Geographic Diversity

 * In State: 67%
* Out of State: 26%
* International: 7%


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Search for the best Earth Sciences colleges according to your filter parameters.

2023 Earth Sciences Salary

There are about 21,661 students enrolled in Earth Sciences in the USA.

SALARY