100 Best colleges for Geology in the United States

Updated: March 02, 2025

Ranking by academic field

Below is a list of best universities in the United States ranked based on their research performance in Geology. A graph of 211M citations received by 5.15M academic papers made by 1,377 universities in the United States was used to calculate publications' ratings, which then were adjusted for release dates and added to final scores.

We don't distinguish between undergraduate and graduate programs nor do we adjust for current majors offered. You can find information about granted degrees on a university page but always double-check with the university website.

1. Harvard University

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Geology

#1 in North America

#1 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,900

2. Stanford University

California | Stanford

For Geology

#2 in North America

#2 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,998

3. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Geology

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $25,951
Enrollment: 45,699

4. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Geology

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Receiving Aid: 55%
Average Aid: $14,390
Enrollment: 55,620

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Geology

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 18%
Average SAT: 1440
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 66%

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Geology

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,519

7. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Geology

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,455

8. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Geology

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1435
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 60%

9. University of California - Los Angeles

California | Los Angeles

For Geology

#10 in North America

#13 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Receiving Aid: 60%
Average Aid: $22,441
Enrollment: 46,678

10. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Geology

#11 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 44%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 61%

11. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Geology

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,258
Enrollment: 39,707

12. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Geology

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 66%

13. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Geology

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 81%

14. University of California-San Diego

California | San Diego

For Geology

#16 in North America

#19 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $24,176
Enrollment: 42,376

15. University of Texas at Austin

For Geology

#17 in North America

#20 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

16. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Geology

#18 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 92%

17. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Geology

#19 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1530
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,869

18. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Geology

#20 in North America

#26 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 51%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 75%

19. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Geology

#21 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,044

20. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Geology

#22 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1290
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 98%

21. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Geology

#23 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1555
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,844

22. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Geology

#24 in North America

#32 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 77%

23. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Geology

#25 in North America

#34 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $23,397
Receiving Aid: 68%
Average Aid: $60,201

24. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Geology

#26 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 83%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 66%

25. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Geology

#27 in North America

#38 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $19,811

26. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Geology

#28 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 65%

27. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Geology

#30 in North America

#42 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

28. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Geology

#31 in North America

#46 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 97%

29. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Geology

#32 in North America

#49 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 60%

30. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Geology

#34 in North America

#52 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 71%

31. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Geology

#35 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $27,979

32. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Geology

#36 in North America

#56 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1495
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,496

33. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Geology

#37 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 74%
Average Aid: $10,554
Enrollment: 33,500

34. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Geology

#38 in North America

#60 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,422

35. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Geology

#39 in North America

#62 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 68%

36. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Geology

#40 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 58%

37. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Geology

#41 in North America

#67 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $9,922
Enrollment: 35,622

38. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Geology

#42 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $11,992
Enrollment: 79,593

39. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Geology

#43 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 28%
Receiving Aid: 58%
Average Aid: $21,732
Enrollment: 26,068

40. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Geology

#44 in North America

#73 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1430
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 73%

41. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Geology

#45 in North America

#76 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 7%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $23,341

42. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Geology

#46 in North America

#78 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1289
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

43. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Geology

#47 in North America

#79 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,440

44. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Geology

#48 in North America

#81 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 84%

45. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Geology

#49 in North America

#85 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1525
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $30,730

46. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Geology

#51 in North America

#88 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

47. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Geology

#52 in North America

#90 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

48. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Geology

#53 in North America

#94 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1360
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

49. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Geology

#54 in North America

#97 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,126
Male:Female: 35:65
Founded: 1864

50. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Geology

#55 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $41,028

51. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Geology

#56 in North America

#101 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 88%

52. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Geology

#57 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 26%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,533
Enrollment: 36,582

53. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Geology

#58 in North America

#118 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $32,964

54. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Geology

#60 in North America

#122 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,551

55. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Geology

#61 in North America

#125 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1170
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 93%

56. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Geology

#63 in North America

#131 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 90%

57. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Geology

#65 in North America

#136 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1390
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 87%

58. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Geology

#66 in North America

#139 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

59. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Geology

#67 in North America

#142 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 44%

60. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Geology

#69 in North America

#155 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 75%
Average Aid: $21,566
Enrollment: 26,426

61. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Geology

#70 in North America

#156 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,608

62. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Geology

#71 in North America

#157 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 92%

63. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Geology

#72 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1210
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

64. University of Oklahoma - Norman

Oklahoma State | Norman

For Geology

#73 in North America

#166 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 99%

65. Stony Brook University

New York State | Stony Brook

For Geology

#75 in North America

#169 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 89%

66. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Geology

#77 in North America

#175 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $27,986

67. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Geology

#78 in North America

#181 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

68. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Geology

#79 in North America

#185 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 80%

69. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Geology

#80 in North America

#186 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Receiving Aid: 91%
Average Aid: $10,370
Enrollment: 26,490

70. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Geology

#83 in North America

#192 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 63%
Receiving Aid: 71%
Average Aid: $21,564
Enrollment: 19,764

71. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Geology

#85 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1130
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 79%

72. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Geology

#86 in North America

#203 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

73. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Geology

#87 in North America

#205 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 54%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 83%

74. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Geology

#88 in North America

#210 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 36%
Average SAT: 1470
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,900

75. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Geology

#90 in North America

#217 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $41,351

76. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Geology

#91 in North America

#220 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 69%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

77. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Geology

#92 in North America

#225 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 25%
Average SAT: 1315
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

78. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Geology

#93 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $11,577
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $1,900

79. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Geology

#94 in North America

#232 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,689

80. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#96 in North America

#239 in the World

Enrollment: 5,048
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1972

81. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Geology

#97 in North America

#246 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 95%
Average SAT: 1030
Average ACT: 23
Receiving Aid: 100%

82. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Geology

#98 in North America

#247 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1505
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $33,333

83. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#99 in North America

#249 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,587

84. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska | Fairbanks

For Geology

#100 in North America

#250 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,102
Enrollment: 6,640

85. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Geology

#101 in North America

#251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $50,631

86. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Geology

#102 in North America

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 95%

87. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Geology

#103 in North America

#265 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,667
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

88. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Geology

#104 in North America

#267 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 81%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

89. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Geology

#105 in North America

#268 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 41%
Average SAT: 1235
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

90. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#106 in North America

#271 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 70%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

91. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Geology

#107 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $17,322

92. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For Geology

#108 in North America

#281 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 79%
Average SAT: 1150
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

93. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#109 in North America

#283 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,699
Male:Female: 41:59
Founded: 1900

94. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Geology

#110 in North America

#293 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1310
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 81%

95. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Geology

#111 in North America

#295 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1255
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 87%

96. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#112 in North America

#300 in the World

Enrollment: 355
Male:Female: 21:79
Founded: 1941

97. Montana State University

Montana | Bozeman

For Geology

#114 in North America

#303 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1165
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 91%

98. Colorado School of Mines

Colorado | Golden

For Geology

#116 in North America

#311 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 97%

99. Utah State University

For Geology

#117 in North America

#313 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 94%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

100. University of Alabama at Birmingham

Alabama | Birmingham

For Geology

#118 in North America

#318 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 88%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 97%

The best cities to study Geology in the United States based on the number of universities and their ranks are Cambridge, Stanford, Berkeley, and Seattle.

Environmental Science subfields in the United States

Agricultural Science686

Earth science and Geophysics628

Environmental Chemistry543

Environmental Engineering351

Environmental Management666

Geography and Cartography1490

Geotechnical Engineering498

Hydrology and Water resources management122

Meteorology and Atmospheric Science766

Mining Engineering145

Oceanography795

Paleontology1257

Petrology and Geochemistry452

Urban and Regional planning203

Wildlife and Fisheries Management & Conservation649