Best Schools for Geological/Geophysical Engineering

Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earn a median of $80,918 within four years of graduating, ranking #60 out of 283 tracked majors — 29% above the median across all fields. There are 7 colleges nationwide with tracked earnings for this major, producing 108 recent graduates.

Where you study matters: Montana Technological University graduates earn $93,629 while University of Wisconsin-Madison graduates earn $73,337 — a $20,292 difference. Factors like location, employer networks, co-op programs, and curriculum focus drive this gap. Across all fields, though, which major you pick separates earnings more than which college does.

Early career salary growth is modest: Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates see an average -4% increase between year 1 and year 2 post-graduation, reflecting career advancement and skill development in the first years after college.

Schools

$80,918

Avg. 2yr Earnings

#60

of 283 Majors

108

Graduates

Geological/Geophysical Engineering by State

Top Geological/Geophysical Engineering Schools by Graduate Earnings

Montana Technological University

Butte, MT · Public

$93,629

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

Acceptance: 89.9%

Colorado School of Mines

Golden, CO · Public

Michigan Technological University

Houghton, MI · Public

$81,862

4yr Earnings

23 grads · small sample

2yr: $60,161 (12)

Acceptance: 87.9%

University of Nevada-Reno

Reno, NV · Public

$78,079

4yr Earnings

16 grads · small sample

2yr: $55,964 (18)

1yr: $50,888 (16)

Acceptance: 85.3%

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Rapid City, SD · Public

$75,779

4yr Earnings

25 grads · small sample

2yr: $50,856 (11)

1yr: $55,327 (23)

Acceptance: 85.3%

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Rolla, MO · Public

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public

Majors with Similar Earnings

Applied Mathematics $55,591 Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians $55,507 Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians $55,128 Information Science/Studies $55,102 Engineering-Related Technologies $55,051 Insurance $54,315

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best school for Geological/Geophysical Engineering?

Montana Technological University ranks #1 for Geological/Geophysical Engineering with median graduate earnings of $93,629 within four years of graduating. There are 7 schools nationwide offering this major with tracked earnings data.

How much do Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earn?

Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earn an average of $80,918 within four years of graduating. This is 29% above the median across all majors. Earnings range from $73,337 to $93,629 depending on the school.

How hard is it to get into a top Geological/Geophysical Engineering program?

The average acceptance rate across Geological/Geophysical Engineering programs is 74.9%. The most selective program is at University of Wisconsin-Madison with a 43.4% acceptance rate. Competitive programs value strong math/analytical skills and relevant coursework.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median 2 years after graduation for bachelor's degree holders, from the field-of-study file last updated June 2026. Institution-level figures elsewhere on the site come from the June 2026 release — Scorecard publishes the two separately.

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