The List of All U.S. Colleges with an Earth Science Major

The study of earth science involves learning about the physical world we live in, how its evolved over time, and how it is likely to continue to change. This includes studying major natural features like volcanoes, mountains, oceans, and earthquakes, and also includes the study of smaller features like soil chemistry, rocks and minerals, and natural resources.

Earth science is a fun and hands-on field that typically includes field trips, labs, and plenty of time outside. If this sounds like the right career for you, keep reading to learn more about how to get into an earth science program and which colleges offer an earth science major.

Why Major in Earth Science?

Students who graduate with a degree in earth science will fall under the umbrella term of geoscientist. This terms also usually includes geologists, certain fields of environmental scientists, and hydrologists. The job outlook for geoscientists is currently very good. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that jobs in the geosciences will grow by 14% by 2026, which is significantly higher than the national job growth prediction average.

Earning potential is also strong for geoscientists. The median pay in 2018 for a geoscientist was $91,000 and entry level positions only required a bachelors degree. Higher level geoscientists usually pursue a masters or PhD.

Earth science is an appealing career for students who want to combine their passion for the outdoors with their pursuit of science. Earth scientists typically split their time between their lab or office and outdoor fieldwork. There is often travel involved, sometimes to remote locations. If earth science sounds like a promising field to you, check out our tips for getting into an earth science program below.

How to Get Into an Earth Science Program

Like most STEM fields, earth science can be a competitive field. Many students recognize the strong earning potential, job growth, and exciting lifestyle it can afford, so you should be prepared to compete for spots in selective earth science programs. Here are our tips for getting started.

Highlight Your Academic Strengths

If you want to pursue a STEM field major, you’ll need to highlight your strengths in the STEM fields. Do this by taking the most challenging course load in which you can succeed. Classes like AP Chemistry and AP Environmental Science will be especially important, and can even come in useful further down the line. Succeeding on these AP exams may mean you are able to place out of introductory level prerequisites when you start your earth science major.

Pursue Extracurriculars that Show Commitment to the Environment

STEM field extracurriculars are becoming a dime a dozen, so you’ll want to choose them carefully and make sure that they align closely with your specific goals for higher education. Environmental science and earth science are closely linked, so extracurriculars that involve the environment, conservation, and other eco-conscious practices are especially well-suited. If you can’t find one that seems appropriate, consider starting your own!

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

College planning is starting earlier and earlier these days, and the idea of planning for college as a ninth or tenth grader can definitely be a little daunting. The good news is that help is out there. Consider a program like the CollegeVine Early Advising Program, which pairs high school ninth and tenth graders with successful students at top-30 schools to provide current high schoolers with advice on everything from selecting classes and extracurriculars to setting and achieving longterm goals.

List of U.S. Colleges with an Earth Science Major

Adams State University

Anderson University (South Carolina)

Appalachian State University

Arkansas Tech University | ATU

Bellevue College

Boston College | BC

Bridgewater State University

C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University | LIU Post

California State University, Dominguez Hills | CSUDH

California State University, East Bay | CSU East Bay

California State University, Fresno | CSU Fresno

California State University, Fullerton | CSU Fullerton

California State University, Long Beach | Long Beach State

California State University, Sacramento | Sacramento State

Cambridge College

Central Connecticut State University | CCSU

Chadron State College | CSC

Chipola College

Christian Brothers University | CBU

City College of New York | CCNY

Coe College

College of St. Benedict | CSB

College of St. Scholastica | CSS

College of Staten Island | CUNY CSI

College of Wooster

Columbia University

Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University Nebraska

Cornell University

Dallas Baptist University | DBU

Daytona State College

DePauw University

Dickinson College

Dickinson State University | DSU

Dixie State University | DSU

Eastern Michigan University | EMU

Eastern Washington University | EWU

Emporia State University

Fitchburg State University

Florida International University | FIU

Fordham University

Framingham State University

Frostburg State University

Furman University

George Mason University

Georgia Gwinnett College | GGC

Georgia Institute of Technology | Georgia Tech

Gulf Coast State College | GCSC

Harvard University

Houston Baptist University | HBU

Hunter College | CUNY Hunter

Illinois State University | ISU

Indiana University Bloomington | Indiana

Indiana University of Pennsylvania | IUP

James Madison University | JMU

Johns Hopkins University | JHU

Juniata College

Keene State College

Kent State University

Lehman College | CUNY Lehman

Longwood University

Massachusetts Institute of Technology | MIT

Midland University

Midway University

Millersville University of Pennsylvania | MU

Minerva Schools at Keck Graduate Institute

Minnesota State University Moorhead | MSUM

Minot State University | MSU

Montana State University | MSU

Muskingum University

North Carolina Central University | NCCU

North Carolina State University | NC State

Northeastern Illinois University | NEIU

Northeastern University

Northern Illinois University | NIU

Northern Michigan University | NMU

Northern Vermont University | NVU

Oberlin College

Oklahoma Baptist University | OBU

Pace University

Pennsylvania State University | PSU

Portland State University | PSU

Prescott College

Purdue University

Purdue University Fort Wayne | PFW

Radford University

Rice University

Saint Mary’s College of California | St. Mary’s

San Jose State University | SJSU

Seton Hall University

Sierra Nevada College | SNC

St. John’s College | SJC (New Mexico)

Stanford University

State University of New York at Cortland | SUNY Cortland

State University of New York at Fredonia | SUNY Fredonia

State University of New York at Oneonta | SUNY Oneonta

State University of New York at Plattsburgh | SUNY Plattsburgh

State University of New York at Potsdam | SUNY Potsdam

Stonehill College

The College at Brockport, State University of New York | SUNY Brockport

The Ohio State University | OSU

The State University of New York at Stony Brook | SUNY Stony Brook

United States Military Academy | Army

Unity College

University of Akron

University of Alaska Fairbanks | UAF

University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas–Fort Smith | UAFS

University of California, Berkeley | UC Berkeley

University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA

University of California, Riverside | UC Riverside

University of California, San Diego | UCSD

University of California, Santa Cruz | UCSC

University of Cincinnati

University of Delaware

University of Hawaii at Hilo | UH Hilo

University of Houston

University of Illinois at Chicago | UIC

University of Louisiana at Lafayette | UL Lafayette

University of Maine at Farmington | UMF

University of Massachusetts Amherst | UMass Amherst

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor | UMich

University of Michigan–Dearborn | UM-D

University of Michigan–Flint | UofM-Flint

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities | Minnesota

University of Montana

University of Montana Western | UMW

University of Nebraska–Lincoln | UNL

University of New Hampshire | UNH

University of New Mexico | UNM

University of North Carolina at Charlotte | UNC Charlotte

University of North Dakota | UND

University of Northern Iowa | UNI

University of Notre Dame

University of Oregon

University of Pennsylvania | UPenn

University of Puget Sound

University of Southern California | USC

University of Southern Maine | USM

University of Tennessee

University of Texas at Arlington | UT Arlington

University of Virginia | UVA

Utah State University

Utah Valley University | UVU

Vanderbilt University

Vassar College

Washington State University | WSU

Washington University in St. Louis | WashU

Weber State University

Wesleyan University

West Chester University | WCUPA

Western Connecticut State University | WCSU

Western Washington University | WWU

Wichita State University | WSU

Wilkes University

York College, City University of New York | CUNY York

College admissions are becoming increasingly competitive, and this is especially true of majors in the STEM fields. Before you apply, consider programs carefully to determine if they’re a good fit for you. Look things like at admissions statistics and the freshman class profile to decide if your test scores and GPA are competitive there. Then, consider things like cost, location, size, and student resources to decide if the school will meet your needs.

For more help, consider the CollegeVine Applications program, which exists to help you optimize your application and ensure that you’re supported through every step of the way. You can trust us to help you gain the tools you’ll need to attend your dream school.