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Overview of Geology

Geology is the area of study and research that deals with understanding the earth, the material and forces that shape it, in order to better construct the planet’s past history, understand it’s current state, and predict future possibilities. Individuals in this field apply various research techniques in order to map and identify phenomena, including weather patterns, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and other natural occurrences to better understand the evolution of the planet.

Career Summary

MEDIAN SALARY

$89,780

PERCENT ABOVE NATIONAL
INCOME AVERAGE

58.71%

TOTAL SECTOR EMPLOYMENT

36,400

Degree Median Salary vs Adjacent Degree Types

Source: BLS, US Census, and IPEDS

2024 Best Geology Degree

As the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States that was established in 1636, Harvard University is one of the most prestigious research universities in the world dedicated to excellence in teaching, learning, and research. Today, it serves more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students across 12 degree-granting schools and units on its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

As an interdisciplinary program of study, the Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) program at Harvard’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences incorporates biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and the Earth sciences in one program to address the most pressing issues of our environment. Students in the program may focus on environmental geoscience, geological science, geochemistry, geobiology, solid earth geophysics, planetary science, and atmospheric and ocean science. With the guidance of faculty and graduate students, undergraduates may collaborate on major research projects and other projects to create a rich research experience that can be helpful in accomplishing original research. Read more about the program overview at eps.harvard.edu.

Acceptance Rate

4.64

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Accommodating more than 8,000 students, Princeton University is among the oldest private Ivy League research universities in the country founded in 1746 as the College of New Jersey. Princeton aims to develop productive members and leaders who can make significant contributions to society by encouraging students enrolled in over 150 undergraduate and graduate programs to pursue civic engagement projects in their respective fields.

The Geosciences degree program at Princeton’s Department of Geosciences offers a variety of specializations that allow students to create their own program of study based on their interests and goals. The program curriculum consists of introductory and intermediate courses like Natural Disasters, Ocean, Atmosphere, & Climate, Fundamentals of Solid Earth Science, Earth’s Atmosphere, Environmental Geochemistry: Chemistry of the Natural Systems, Sedimentology, and Global Geophysics. Each having their own required core courses and recommended electives, the five departmental specializations offered in the program are Microbiology, Environmental Geochemistry, Oceans, Atmosphere, & Climate, Geology & Earth History, and Geophysics. The department, in collaboration with other departments within the university, also offers certificate programs in the field of geological engineering, environmental studies, and materials science and engineering. To explore each program specialization, visit geosciences.princeton.edu.

Acceptance Rate

5.78

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Founded in 1701 as a local college based on European liberal education, Yale University is among the oldest and leading private Ivy League research universities in the nation. The university, serving nearly 14,000 students on its main campus in New Haven, Connecticut, reaches out to individuals and institutions across the world to train the next generations of world leaders, promote cultural understanding, and improve communities.

The undergraduate Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) program at Yale’s Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences covers a wide range of areas in the field such as climate change, oceanography, meteorology, environmental science, geochemistry, evolutionary theory, paleontology, and planetary science. The department, having close links with other departments within the university, provides an interdisciplinary study of the Earth system and its resources. Students may choose the Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Natural Resources which is designed for students who want to have a broad overview of the Earth sciences. For students who want to have a deeper and more comprehensive curriculum in the field, the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree is more suitable as it includes courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, and biology. The BS program consists of tracks namely atmosphere, ocean, and climate, environmental and energy geoscience, paleontology and geobiology, and solid Earth sciences. More information about the programs is found at earth.yale.edu.

Acceptance Rate

6.08

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a private Ivy League research university located in New York. Founded in 1754, it is considered the oldest institution of higher learning in the state. Today, the university provides research and distinctive academic programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in the fields of social sciences, natural sciences, computer science, and many more.

Offered by the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia, there are two majors related to geology namely Earth Science and Environmental Science. The top ranked geology major is a program that provides a broad introduction to the solid and fluid earth as well as its geological history which is supported through courses in related science fields. The Environmental Science major, on one hand, focuses on how the Earth's physical environment and biosphere interact with anthropogenic processes and environmental remediation. There are also similar concentrations available for further exposure to courses that fit the students’ interests and goals. For the complete program overview, go to eesc.columbia.edu.

Acceptance Rate

5.45

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

With more than 10,000 part-time and full-time students, Brown University is one of the leading research universities in the United States known for its unique and student-centered learning environment. Located in Providence, Rhode Island, the university has been providing an exceptional learning experience through the Open Curriculum since its founding in 1741.

Offering four concentrations under Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences (EPS) leading to either Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS), the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown aims to enhance students’ critical thinking, and analytical skills along with the technical knowledge and skills in the field. Each having an option to take the pathway that leads to BA or BS degree, the four concentrations under EPS include Geosciences, Geology-Biology, Geochemistry, and Geophysics. Students in the Geosciences concentration focus on the study of the Earth’s structure as well as other planetary bodies that interact with our planet while students in the Geology-Biology concentration apply geology, chemistry, biology, and physics concepts to have an understanding of how major components and elements of the Earth interact with human life. The Geochemistry concentration, on one hand, explores the low-temperature and high-temperature processes that happen on Earth, from the molecular level to the solar system. Finally, the Geophysics concentration involves the study of topics like Earth's changing climate, internal structure and dynamics of our planet, and natural hazards. Learn more about the requirements of each program at brown.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.07

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The University of Pennsylvania (Penn) is a private Ivy League institution that integrates education, scholarship, and research in its academic programs and opportunities. The university, based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was built in 1740 on the concept of innovation, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary collaboration among more than 25,000 local and international students to address the most pressing issues of our times.  The Department of Earth and Environmental Science at Penn Arts and Sciences offers two undergraduate majors in Earth Science and Environmental Studies, each with a set of tracks and concentrations that allow students to design their own program of study based on their professional goals and interests. The Earth Science Major provides an overview of the various physical, chemical, and geologic processes within our planet and its surface. Students in the program may focus on one of the following concentrations: Environmental Science, Geology, and Paleobiology. The Environmental Studies Major, on the other hand, equips students with the skills needed to understand, evaluate, and address different contemporary environmental issues. Some of the concentrations under the program are Environmental History and Regional Studies, Global Environmental System, Environmental Policy and Application, and Sustainability and Environmental Management. 

Acceptance Rate

7.66

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a research university based in Cambridge, Massachusetts that was founded in 1861 to contribute to the development of the country’s industrial revolution. MIT offers various programs to advance knowledge, educate students, and promote research in science, technology, and other areas of study with the aspiration to make a better world through education, research, and innovation.

As one of the first established departments in the university back in 1861, the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at MIT provides the education, tools, and training required to train students in the monitoring of material and chemical fluxes within the Earth system, imaging of the Earth’s crust, and measuring of time in the geologic record. The Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences undergraduate program is a unique program that provides students with a comprehensive and challenging curriculum in the field of geophysical sciences. The program consists of core courses like Introduction to Geology, Introduction to Geophysics and Planetary Science, Introduction to Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics, and Geobiology: History of Life on Earth. Students are also required to choose one area of concentration among the following: Geoscience: Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geobiology, Atmosphere, Oceans, and Climate, Planetary Science and Astronomy, and Environmental Systems. See the entire program curriculum at twelve.mit.edu.

Acceptance Rate

6.7

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Initially called the Leland Stanford Junior University on its founding in 1891, Stanford University is a private research university based in Stanford, California that provides cutting-edge research and groundbreaking academic programs to more than 17,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The university allows students to create their own paths of discovery, learning, and growth in the fields of business, law, medicine, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Focusing on the fundamentals of the Earth and planetary sciences, the Bachelor of Science in Geology helps to prepar students for graduate study and employment in the areas of land use and planning, geological and environmental consulting, law, and teaching. Some of the courses in the program include Introduction to Geology, Data Science in Geoscience, Our Dynamic West, Sediments: The Book of Earth’s History, and Coevolution of Earth and Life. There is also a coterminal Master of Science degree program option that allows students to earn an MS degree concurrently with their BS studies. Students interested in conducting research projects may also join the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program. Visit earth.stanford.edu to check the complete details of the programs.

Acceptance Rate

4.34

Student to Faculty Ratio

5:1

Dartmouth College is an Ivy League research university grounded in liberal arts education situated in Hanover, New Hampshire that has been educating the brightest and most promising minds across the globe since 1796. As one of the world’s greatest academic institutions, the university aspires to prepare them for a lifetime of learning and responsible leadership through high-quality education and extensive research opportunities.

The Earth Sciences major at Dartmouth’s Department of Earth Sciences is a unique program that combines different scientific disciplines into one unified physical science to study the physical, chemical, and biological processes taking place on Earth and other planetary bodies over time. Other students with majors in biology, chemistry, physics, economics, and engineering may take the major in Earth Sciences to get a more interdisciplinary course of study. The department also offers a major in Environmental Earth Sciences. Through courses in Data Analysis, Core Methods, Quantitative Analysis, and other advanced topics, both programs intend to prepare students for graduate studies and employment in the fields of law, policy, business, education, science, art, medicine, and engineering. Access the complete program curriculum at earthsciences.dartmouth.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Established in 1838 as a preparatory school called Union Institute Academy, Duke University is a research university located in Durham, North Carolina that has an affiliation with the Methodist Church as reflected in their mission of creating a healthy relationship between knowledge and faith. The university aspires to contribute to communities all over the world by providing a superior liberal education to over 15,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

At Duke’s Nicholas School of the Environment, the undergraduate programs prepare students to become leaders in many fields such as environmental science, conservation, energy, physical and marine sciences, medicine, and global health. Students have the option to choose from three majors namely Earth & Ocean Sciences, Environmental Sciences & Policy, and Marine Science & Conservation. The Earth & Ocean Sciences major is designed for students who want to discover how the Earth works which can advance their understanding of the planet to be able to preserve and sustain its resources, and find solutions to the most urgent environmental problems. Two degree options are available for this major: Bachelor of Science for students who want to focus on the physical sciences, and Bachelor of Arts for students interested in environmental science and policy. Go to nicholas.duke.edu to see the difference between the two degree options.

Acceptance Rate

7.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Located in Pasadena, California, the California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, is a private research university known as a world-renowned science and engineering institute with a focus on bioinformatics, quantum science and engineering, energy and sustainability, and human behavior. The university serves the brightest minds worldwide totaling just over 2,000 in order to address fundamental scientific questions and most-pressing social issues.

The Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at Caltech provides a comprehensive education for its undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of environmental science and engineering, geology, geobiology, geochemistry, geophysics, and planetary science. The top rated geology degree aims to provide students with the technical knowledge and thorough training needed to address the issues in the fields of geological and planetary sciences. The program includes courses in mathematics, biology, chemistry, and physics as well as program-specific courses like Sedimentology and Stratigraphy, Petrology and Petrography, and Mineralogy. The research areas in this program in which students can choose for their research project are climatic, petrologic, surface, and tectonic processes. Check other program options at gps.caltech.edu.

Acceptance Rate

6.42

Student to Faculty Ratio

3:1

Bowdoin College is a private liberal arts college based in Brunswick, Maine that has been training students through an intense full-time education since 1794. The college embraces the exploration of creativity and development of social and leadership abilities of students while preparing students for careers in history, law, human behavior, science, politics, art, and economics.

With the aim to investigate and answer the fundamental questions about Earth, the Earth and Oceanographic Science program at Bowdoin’s Department of Earth and Oceanographic Science is a program offered to undergraduate students as a major which requires ten courses or minor with only five courses. Some of the activities in the program are sampling rocks, sediments, and shells, employing satellites, and scanning electron microscopes to study Earth’s geologic history, past climates, and systems. Some of the courses in the major are Environmental Geology and Hydrology, Scientific Reasoning in Biology, Volcanology, Sedimentary Systems, Coastal Oceanography, Research in Mineral Science, and Earth Climate History. In collaboration with the Department of Physics, majors who have interests in physics may take an interdisciplinary major. For more details about the programs, visit bowdoin.edu.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

With more than 1,800 students from all over the world, Amherst College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts founded in 1821 and is considered one of the oldest academic institutions in the state. As part of the Five College Consortium, the college is deeply committed to addressing issues related to inclusivity, diversity, a sense of belonging, and environmental sustainability.

With the option to design their own program of study through electives, students in the Geology major at Amherst College are engaged in the field by exposure to the fundamental principles, concepts, and processes that form the character of the Earth. They are also required to take courses like Surface Earth Dynamics, Structural Geology, and Mineralogy to get a general overview of geology. Students are trained in data collection and analysis through the use of modern analytical methods, tools, and instruments which can be used in assessing geological issues and finding solutions for them. There is an Honors program for qualified students who want to pursue independent work and engage in collaborations with the faculty and graduate students. See the entire program requirements at amherst.edu.

Acceptance Rate

11.31

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

As one of the founding members of The Claremont Colleges, Pomona College is one of the country’s premier private liberal arts colleges that started operating in 1887. The college, located in Claremont, California, provides a comprehensive curriculum in 48 programs to almost 1,500 students who want to specialize in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

The Geology programs at Pomona offer a distinctive curriculum that integrates coursework, laboratory works, and field works in studying different Earth’s processes. Students in the Geology degree major may choose from five tracks namely General Geology, Environmental Earth Science, Earth, Planetary and Space Science, Geochemistry, and Public Policy. Through a rigorous curriculum, field exploration, and research projects, students are able to observe and analyze the physical environment through modern analytic methods and equipment. Students also have the opportunity to study abroad to experience and explore diverse geologic settings. The college also offers a minor in Geology. Learn more about the programs at pomona.edu.

Acceptance Rate

7.4

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Swarthmore College is an academic institution situated in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania that offers more than 600 courses and research opportunities to local and international students who have the freedom to create and design their programs of study. Since its founding in 1864, Swarthmore which is a part of the Tri-Co Consortium together with Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges, has developed passionate students to study and collaborate with other learners and professionals for the betterment of the communities around the world.

The Environmental Studies Major at Swarthmore is a program that combines the natural sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences to examine and evaluate the most pressing environmental issues of our times. Students in the major are required to complete ten courses which include an introduction to environmental studies, electives in environmental science and technology, environmental social sciences, environmental arts and humanities credits, and laboratory courses in different areas. The department also offers a minor program that requires six courses only. The courses in Environmental Studies at Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges may also be counted to the major or minor. See more details about the programs at swarthmore.edu.

Acceptance Rate

8.93

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

With three campuses in New York, and three more in Washington DC, Qatar, and Italy, Cornell University is a privately endowed Ivy League research university that was founded in 1865. The university aspires to contribute in all fields of knowledge from the humanities to the sciences through educating, inspiring, and transforming nearly 24,000 students to value free and open inquiry and purposeful exploration.

Available to Cornell students in the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences, and Engineering, the Major in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences is an interdisciplinary program that involves geological, atmospheric, oceanic, and biogeochemical background to address all the urgent environmental issues in our planet. The program offers four concentrations namely Climate Science, Environmental Science, Geological Science, and Ocean Science. The Geological Science concentration studies the different processes involved in the Earth's origin and evolution, its structure, composition, and components, and its relationship with the solar system. Graduates of the program work in careers in the geoscience industry that involves land use planning, sustainable use of resources, material science, and remote sensing. To see the complete details of each program, visit eas.cornell.edu.

Acceptance Rate

10.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Northwestern University is a comprehensive research institution in Illinois that offers various academic programs across multiple schools and units. With three campuses in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, and Doha, Qatar, the university has been serving over 21,000 students since 1851 with the mission to provide excellent teaching, innovative research, and personal and intellectual growth for its students.

The Earth and Planetary Sciences program at Northwestern involves the study of the past, present, and future of the Earth and other planetary bodies. The program trains students to address fundamental and complex scientific questions that are crucial in solving the most urgent environmental issues. The major in Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) covers the physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect the Earth system, from the atomic to the interplanetary scale. Students within the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences may also pursue a major in EPS through the highly selective Integrated Science Program. Learn more about the programs at earth.northwestern.edu.

Acceptance Rate

9.05

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

With over 2,000 students engaged in over 36 programs, Williams College is a private, residential, and liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts that was founded in 1793. The college has a total of 25 departments across three academic divisions that specialize in providing education in the fields of natural sciences, liberal arts, and international studies.

The Department of Geosciences at Williams offers a major in Geosciences that provides students with a deep understanding of the evolution of the Earth and its interaction with other global systems. Students in the program are able to understand and appreciate complex Earth systems through introductory and advanced courses in geology, earth systems, and oceanography as well as other related areas in geosciences. Some of the courses in the program are Weather and Climate, Global Warming and Environmental Change, Astrobiology, Economic Geology and Earth Resources, Environmental Observation, Igneous & Metamorphic Petrology, and Geochemistry. Qualified students interested in conducting research projects may also pursue a senior thesis and apply to the Honors program. Go to geosciences.williams.edu to view the program requirements.

Acceptance Rate

12.6

Student to Faculty Ratio

6:1

Rice University is one of the top research universities in the nation that was established in 1891 as the William Marsh Rice University. Located in the heart of Houston, Texas, the university is consistently recognized for having the best quality of life among private academic institutions because of its solid campus tradition of keeping close-knit, diverse communities.

The Earth, Environmental and Planetary Science major at Rice School of Natural Sciences is a program that offers different tracks for its Bachelor of Science (BS) option and greater flexibility with course options for its Bachelor of Arts (BA) option. Students in the BS option may specialize in Environmental Earth Sciences, Geosciences, or Planetary Sciences with the opportunity to work with faculty members for research collaborations. There is also an Honors program that requires qualified students to complete a senior thesis. Additionally, the department offers a major in Environmental Science which also offers pathways for both the BA and BS degrees. Check other program options at earthscience.rice.edu.

Acceptance Rate

8.72

Student to Faculty Ratio

N.A

With 10 schools and divisions offering academic programs in various fields, Washington University in St. Louis (WUSTL) is a private research university with several campuses around St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1853, the university is committed to teaching, research, patient care, and service to society by developing productive members with knowledge, skills, and habits of lifelong learning and leadership.

The Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at WUSTL offers majors in Geology, Geochemistry, and Geophysics. The Geology major program equips students with the technical knowledge, observational skills, and analytical tools to investigate the structure and composition of the Earth as a method for understanding how it evolved over time. The core courses in the program include Earth and the Environment, Minerals, Rocks, Resources, and the Environment, Earth Forces, and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. All students in the program are required to complete a geology field camp and a capstone experience in their junior or senior year. Students may also choose from courses in different areas of geosciences as electives. Access the entire program curriculum at eps.wustl.edu.

Acceptance Rate

13.85

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Known as a globally renowned private research university in Nashville, Tennessee, Vanderbilt University intends to provide transformative education and research across all sectors. Founded in 1873, the university has internationally recognized schools in the fields of education, law, business, nursing, medicine, and divinity which offer robust undergraduate and graduate programs in different disciplines.

Vanderbilt’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) offers an undergraduate major in EES that leads to the Bachelor of Arts degree with the option to complete additional coursework and maintain a certain GPA to earn an Honors degree. Through the rigorous curriculum, extensive undergraduate research, and real-world experiences, students in the major are ready to pursue graduate studies in the earth and environmental sciences or related fields as well as careers in EES, environmental management, geological assessment and resource exploration, and land-use planning. Students are also given the opportunity to travel all around the United States, and across countries for class and departmental field trips, summer programs, and undergraduate research. Further information about the program can be seen at vanderbilt.edu.

Acceptance Rate

9.12

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is American’s first private research university that revolutionized higher education in the country on its founding in 1876. The university, located in Baltimore, Maryland, leads dozens of world-class academic divisions that collaborate in many activities to fulfill the mission of bringing knowledge to the world by actively preparing students to become global leaders and citizens.

The Morton K. Blaustein Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS) at JHU offers several programs of study in the areas of EPS such as ecology, geology, atmospheric science, geochemistry, geophysics, paleoecology, oceanography, and planetary science. The Earth and Planetary Sciences major that leads to a Bachelor of Arts degree focuses on the study of different physical, chemical, and biological processes that affect the Earth system and other planetary bodies. The department also offers an Environmental Science and Studies major that provides a more interdisciplinary study of the science of the Earth, its living and nonliving components, and how humans interact with the Earth and its systems. View the entire program curriculum at eps.jhu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

11.17

Student to Faculty Ratio

7:1

With more than 12,000 students across its campuses in Boston and Grafton Massachusetts, and Talloires, France, Tufts University is a moderately-sized private research university on the border of Medford and Somerville that is known for providing students with personal academic experience. With this, Tufts is considered among the great leaders in the higher education system in the United States.

The Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences at Tufts offers four programs related to the field of geosciences and these include majors in Geological Sciences and Environmental Geology and minors in Geoscience and Geology. The Geological Sciences major is an interdisciplinary program that is designed for students who want to pursue graduate study and employment in geology while the Environmental Geology major provides a deep yet flexible curriculum for students who want to pursue a double major, medical degrees, and teaching certification as well as careers in environmental law and related fields. The Geoscience minor, on the other hand, is perfect for majors in Biology, Chemistry, Archaeology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Quantitative Economics, and Physics as it complements the courses in these programs while the Geology minor is for majors in different areas of engineering. Explore the programs mentioned at eos.tufts.edu.

Acceptance Rate

14.95

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Washington and Lee University (W&L) is a nationally recognized private liberal arts university located in Lexington, Virginia. Founded as a small school called Augusta Academy in 1749, it is the 9th oldest institution of higher learning in the United States that serves nearly 2,000 students through programs in the social sciences, business, computer science, humanities, law, and journalism.

Offered by the Geology Department at W&L The College, the Geology program is an interdisciplinary program that leads to either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree. Both pathways require students to finish courses related to field skills, solid Earth, hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, surface processes, and laboratory courses. The program that leads to a BA degree is ideal for students who have interests in pursuing careers outside the field such as business, law, or public policy. The BS degree option, on the other hand, is designed for students who want to pursue graduate school or employment in the field of geology. Students in the BS program are also required to take courses in chemistry, biology, physics, mathematics, parasitology, and statistics. Discover more details about the programs at wlu.edu.

Acceptance Rate

18.57

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Claremont McKenna College (CMC) is one of the country’s top liberal arts colleges with a broadly diverse student community located on its campus in Claremont, California. With an emphasis on the importance of leadership and innovation within the institute, the college aims to produce responsible leaders and accomplished scholars to make a difference beyond the classroom.

The Environmental Analysis Major at CMC is one of the most comprehensive programs that is designed to prepare students in addressing many environmental issues in the fields of policy, law, medicine, conservation, urban planning, global climate change, chemistry, and resource management. The program includes courses that cover biology, chemistry, earth science, and environmental policy in economics, government, and politics. Students also have the option to take a dual major in other areas of the natural sciences. The college also offers an interdisciplinary Environment, Economics, and Politics major that aims to provide a general understanding of disciplines involved in analyzing environmental systems which include economics, biology, chemistry, and government policy. Read more about the programs at cmc.edu.

Acceptance Rate

10.3

Student to Faculty Ratio

8:1

Curricular Requirements for Geology Majors

Students seeking to study geology will generally earn at minimum a bachelors degree, though a masters degree is more common for research positions. Individuals in this field will learn a variety of sciences as they apply to global phenomena, including slow processes such as erosion, and violent ones such as eruptions or quakes. Identification of such phenomena is used to determine patterns, effects, and dates for potential shifts in climate and land formation. Individuals will also learn a variety of research techniques, identification tools, computer modeling skills and more.

A curriculum may include:

Schools that have active geology programs should also have laboratories, and regular trips in order to familiarize student with practical methods for field research. Students should review and contact geology department in order to ascertain what kind of experiences are available, including possible inclusion in research projects. Graduate level programs should have more activity in this regard, and may be a significant factor in ones choice of school and program.

Employment Opportunities in Geology

Geologists should experience significant job growth over the next decade as the demand for professionals increases due to environmental and land use concerns. Individuals in this field will find employment in a number of locations, including the private sector, government agencies, education institutions, and non-profit organizations. Individuals will be involved in planning, policy, conservation programs and more, working with other scientists, lawmakers, and others in order to find the best, cleanest and most efficient use of available space in order to remain sustainable.

The national median income for geologists is $89,780 annually which translates to $43.16 per hour.  The job growth is expected to be 10% through 2024 and add nearly 4,000 geologists to the employment ranks during the same reporting period.

States with the Most Geologists

  1. Texas            9,070
  2. California    3,910
  3. Colorado      2,180
  4. Louisiana    1,100
  5. Oklahoma   1,090

Highest Paying States for Geologists

  1. Texas                                $142,850
  2. District of Columbia      $127,220
  3. Oklahoma                        $122,950
  4. Colorado                          $114,170
  5. Louisiana                         $106,530
Additional Resources for Geology Majors

For students interested in learning more about this field of study, regional and national organizations may be worth further research.  Top ranked geology associations include the following organizations: Geological Society of America (GSA), Society of Economic Geologists (SEG), Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists (AEEG), and the American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG).

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