Geology Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of the Earth's physical structure, substances, processes, and history.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$82K
salary
ROI Payback
5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Geology Overview
Study of the Earth's physical structure, substances, processes, and history.
Category
STEM
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
63%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Limited
Underemployment
22%
Lifetime Premium
$520K
Female Graduates
38%
Geology Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$17,100
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$17,100
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$502,900
Lifetime earnings premium ($520,000) minus net degree cost ($17,100)
Geology Salary Progression
Common Geology Careers
Geologist
Geophysicist
Environmental Consultant
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Geology
#1
Colorado School of Mines
#2
Stanford
#3
MIT
#4
Penn State
#5
University of Texas
Related Majors
Geology Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Geology Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for geology programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
Compare All College Majors
Analyze ROI, salary potential, and career outcomes for 150+ college majors.