100 Best colleges for Geology in the United States

Updated: March 15, 2026

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 221M citations received by 5.26M academic papers made by 1,391 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: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $17,525

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: $25,078

3. University of Washington - Seattle

Washington | Seattle

For Geology

#3 in North America

#3 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Receiving Aid: 56%
Average Aid: $16,156
Enrollment: 56,997

4. University of California - Berkeley

California | Berkeley

For Geology

#4 in North America

#4 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Receiving Aid: 63%
Average Aid: $29,608
Enrollment: 45,882

5. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Michigan | Ann Arbor

For Geology

#5 in North America

#5 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 16%
Average SAT: 1445
Average ACT: 33
Receiving Aid: 69%

6. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Massachusetts | Cambridge

For Geology

#6 in North America

#6 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1550
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $20,996

7. Cornell University

New York State | Ithaca

For Geology

#7 in North America

#7 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,361

8. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Wisconsin | Madison

For Geology

#8 in North America

#10 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1450
Average ACT: 31
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: 59%
Average Aid: $25,627
Enrollment: 47,335

10. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Illinois | Champaign

For Geology

#11 in North America

#14 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 64%

11. University of California - Davis

California | Davis

For Geology

#12 in North America

#15 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Receiving Aid: 65%
Average Aid: $24,591
Enrollment: 40,065

12. Pennsylvania State University

Pennsylvania | University Park

For Geology

#13 in North America

#16 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1330
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

13. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minnesota | Minneapolis

For Geology

#15 in North America

#18 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 80%
Average SAT: 1400
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: 27%
Receiving Aid: 66%
Average Aid: $25,757
Enrollment: 44,256

15. University of Texas at Austin

For Geology

#17 in North America

#21 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 27%
Average SAT: 1380
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 65%

16. University of Florida

Florida | Gainesville

For Geology

#18 in North America

#22 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

17. Columbia University

New York State | New York City

For Geology

#19 in North America

#24 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $22,520

18. Ohio State University

Ohio | Columbus

For Geology

#20 in North America

#28 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1395
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 80%

19. Yale University

Connecticut | New Haven

For Geology

#21 in North America

#29 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

20. University of Arizona

Arizona | Tucson

For Geology

#22 in North America

#30 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

21. Johns Hopkins University

Maryland | Baltimore

For Geology

#23 in North America

#31 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,017

22. Texas A&M University - College Station

Texas | College Station

For Geology

#24 in North America

#33 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 57%
Average SAT: 1275
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 74%

23. California Institute of Technology

California | Pasadena

For Geology

#25 in North America

#36 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 3%
Net Price: $14,513
Receiving Aid: 70%
Average Aid: $72,373

24. University of Colorado Boulder

Colorado | Boulder

For Geology

#26 in North America

#37 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1335
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 67%

25. Princeton University

New Jersey | Princeton

For Geology

#27 in North America

#39 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $15,313

26. University of Maryland - College Park

Maryland | College Park

For Geology

#29 in North America

#41 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 45%
Average SAT: 1465
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 67%

27. University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania | Philadelphia

For Geology

#30 in North America

#44 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,570

28. Michigan State University

Michigan | East Lansing

For Geology

#31 in North America

#48 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

29. Purdue University

Indiana | West Lafayette

For Geology

#32 in North America

#51 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 50%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

30. Rutgers University - New Brunswick

New Jersey | New Brunswick

For Geology

#34 in North America

#55 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 69%

31. Colorado State University - Fort Collins

Colorado | Fort Collins

For Geology

#35 in North America

#57 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Receiving Aid: 79%
Average Aid: $10,160
Enrollment: 34,096

32. University of Southern California

California | Los Angeles

For Geology

#36 in North America

#58 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 10%
Average SAT: 1500
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $43,412

33. Duke University

North Carolina | Durham

For Geology

#37 in North America

#59 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $21,981

34. University of Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Geology

#38 in North America

#61 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $28,060

35. North Carolina State University at Raleigh

North Carolina | Raleigh

For Geology

#39 in North America

#64 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1385
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 69%

36. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

North Carolina | Chapel Hill

For Geology

#40 in North America

#70 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 15%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 59%

37. Oregon State University

Oregon | Corvallis

For Geology

#41 in North America

#71 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 92%

38. Arizona State University - Tempe

Arizona | Tempe

For Geology

#42 in North America

#72 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 90%
Receiving Aid: 93%
Average Aid: $12,172
Enrollment: 79,818

39. Georgia Institute of Technology

Georgia | Atlanta

For Geology

#43 in North America

#74 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1455
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 73%

40. University of California - Santa Barbara

California | Santa Barbara

For Geology

#44 in North America

#75 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 33%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $24,695
Enrollment: 26,133

41. Northwestern University

Illinois | Evanston

For Geology

#45 in North America

#80 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $26,830

42. University of Utah

Utah | Salt Lake

For Geology

#46 in North America

#82 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 86%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 79%

43. Washington University in St Louis

Missouri | St. Louis

For Geology

#47 in North America

#83 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $22,408

44. University of Georgia

Georgia | Athens

For Geology

#48 in North America

#84 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 38%
Average SAT: 1375
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

45. New York University

New York State | New York City

For Geology

#50 in North America

#89 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Average SAT: 1520
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $30,325

46. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia | Blacksburg

For Geology

#51 in North America

#92 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 55%
Average SAT: 1365
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 67%

47. Iowa State University

Iowa State | Ames

For Geology

#52 in North America

#93 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 89%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 89%

48. University of Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Geology

#53 in North America

#98 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 58%
Average SAT: 1370
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 74%

49. University of California - San Francisco

California | San Francisco

For Geology

#54 in North America

#100 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 13%
Enrollment: 3,007
Male:Female: 36:64
Founded: 1864

50. University of Miami

Florida | Coral Gables

For Geology

#55 in North America

#102 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 19%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 32
Net Price: $45,397

51. University of Iowa

Iowa State | Iowa City

For Geology

#56 in North America

#104 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 84%
Average SAT: 1230
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 90%

52. University of California - Irvine

California | Irvine

For Geology

#57 in North America

#106 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 29%
Receiving Aid: 61%
Average Aid: $23,110
Enrollment: 37,297

53. Carnegie Mellon University

Pennsylvania | Pittsburgh

For Geology

#59 in North America

#121 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 12%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $35,552

54. Boston University

Massachusetts | Boston

For Geology

#60 in North America

#123 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $24,420

55. University of Kansas

Kansas State | Lawrence

For Geology

#61 in North America

#128 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 94%

56. University of Tennessee - Knoxville

Tennessee | Knoxville

For Geology

#64 in North America

#137 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 42%
Average SAT: 1285
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 96%

57. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Massachusetts | Amherst

For Geology

#65 in North America

#138 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1405
Average ACT: 32
Receiving Aid: 89%

58. Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College

Louisiana | Baton Rouge

For Geology

#67 in North America

#147 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1260
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 93%

59. University of Virginia

Virginia | Charlottesville

For Geology

#68 in North America

#148 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 17%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 34
Receiving Aid: 57%

60. University of California - Riverside

California | Riverside

For Geology

#69 in North America

#160 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Receiving Aid: 80%
Average Aid: $24,355
Enrollment: 26,384

61. Brown University

Rhode Island | Providence

For Geology

#70 in North America

#162 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1545
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $26,256

62. University of Delaware

Delaware | Newark

For Geology

#71 in North America

#163 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 71%
Average SAT: 1280
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 94%

63. University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska | Lincoln

For Geology

#72 in North America

#164 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1214
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 96%

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

#76 in North America

#177 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 49%
Average SAT: 1415
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 99%

66. Emory University

Georgia | Atlanta

For Geology

#77 in North America

#179 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1510
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $27,303

67. University of Kentucky

Kentucky | Lexington

For Geology

#79 in North America

#187 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 93%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 97%

68. University of Illinois at Chicago

Illinois | Chicago

For Geology

#80 in North America

#188 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 28
Receiving Aid: 80%

69. Washington State University

Washington | Pullman

For Geology

#81 in North America

#189 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Receiving Aid: 89%
Average Aid: $10,886
Enrollment: 25,685

70. University of Hawaii at Manoa

Hawaii | Honolulu

For Geology

#83 in North America

#195 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 87%
Average SAT: 1187
Average ACT: 21
Receiving Aid: 76%

71. University of California - Santa Cruz

California | Santa Cruz

For Geology

#84 in North America

#196 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 66%
Receiving Aid: 64%
Average Aid: $22,774
Enrollment: 19,938

72. University of Missouri - Columbia

Missouri | Columbia

For Geology

#86 in North America

#211 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 78%
Average SAT: 1240
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 97%

73. University of Connecticut

Connecticut | Storrs

For Geology

#87 in North America

#213 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 52%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 88%

74. University of Rochester

New York State | Rochester

For Geology

#89 in North America

#222 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 40%
Average SAT: 1475
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $40,462

75. Case Western Reserve University

Ohio | Cleveland

For Geology

#90 in North America

#223 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 37%
Average SAT: 1485
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $44,000

76. University at Buffalo

New York State | Buffalo

For Geology

#91 in North America

#230 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1295
Average ACT: 30
Receiving Aid: 86%

77. Florida State University

Florida | Tallahassee

For Geology

#92 in North America

#234 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 24%
Average SAT: 1340
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 94%

78. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science

Minnesota | Rochester

For Geology

#93 in North America

#237 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 39%
Net Price: $12,328
Receiving Aid: 100%
Average Aid: $2,018

79. Vanderbilt University

Tennessee | Nashville

For Geology

#94 in North America

#238 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $25,186

80. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#96 in North America

#247 in the World

Enrollment: 4,938
Male:Female: 30:70
Founded: 1972

81. Rice University

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#97 in North America

#251 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 8%
Average SAT: 1540
Average ACT: 35
Net Price: $23,589

82. Tufts University

Massachusetts | Medford

For Geology

#98 in North America

#252 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 11%
Average SAT: 1515
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $32,367

83. University of New Mexico

New Mexico | Albuquerque

For Geology

#99 in North America

#253 in the World

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

84. Tulane University of Louisiana

Louisiana | New Orleans

For Geology

#100 in North America

#254 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 14%
Average SAT: 1460
Average ACT: 33
Net Price: $47,427

85. University of Alaska Fairbanks

Alaska | Fairbanks

For Geology

#101 in North America

#256 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 100%
Receiving Aid: 92%
Average Aid: $10,424
Enrollment: 6,893

86. University of South Carolina - Columbia

South Carolina | Columbia

For Geology

#102 in North America

#259 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 60%
Average SAT: 1270
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 94%

87. University of Maryland, Baltimore

Maryland | Baltimore

For Geology

#103 in North America

#272 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 65%
Enrollment: 6,636
Male:Female: 27:73
Founded: 1807

88. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis

Indiana | Indianapolis

For Geology

#104 in North America

#273 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 76%
Average SAT: 1135
Average ACT: 25
Receiving Aid: 91%

89. University of South Florida

Florida | Tampa

For Geology

#105 in North America

#274 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 43%
Average SAT: 1225
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 89%

90. University of Houston

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#106 in North America

#276 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 74%
Average SAT: 1250
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 83%

91. Dartmouth College

New Hampshire | Hanover

For Geology

#107 in North America

#277 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 5%
Average SAT: 1535
Average ACT: 34
Net Price: $20,322

92. Kansas State University

Kansas State | Manhattan

For Geology

#108 in North America

#286 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1160
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 95%

93. Baylor College of Medicine

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#109 in North America

#290 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 9%
Enrollment: 1,774
Male:Female: 40:60
Founded: 1900

94. Auburn University

Alabama | Auburn

For Geology

#110 in North America

#296 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 46%
Average SAT: 1325
Average ACT: 29
Receiving Aid: 85%

95. University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Texas | Houston

For Geology

#112 in North America

#303 in the World

Enrollment: 359
Male:Female: 22:78
Founded: 1941

96. University of Cincinnati

Ohio | Cincinnati

For Geology

#113 in North America

#304 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 85%
Average SAT: 1265
Average ACT: 27
Receiving Aid: 88%

97. Montana State University

Montana | Bozeman

For Geology

#115 in North America

#312 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 82%
Average SAT: 1175
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 90%

98. Colorado School of Mines

Colorado | Golden

For Geology

#116 in North America

#315 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 61%
Average SAT: 1400
Average ACT: 31
Receiving Aid: 98%

99. Utah State University

For Geology

#117 in North America

#319 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 92%
Average SAT: 1180
Average ACT: 24
Receiving Aid: 92%

100. Texas Tech University

Texas | Lubbock

For Geology

#118 in North America

#320 in the World

Acceptance Rate: 73%
Average SAT: 1185
Average ACT: 26
Receiving Aid: 90%

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

Environmental Science subfields in the United States

Agricultural Science689

Earth science and Geophysics637

Environmental Chemistry547

Environmental Engineering354

Environmental Management673

Geography and Cartography1500

Geotechnical Engineering502

Hydrology and Water resources management128

Meteorology and Atmospheric Science775

Mining Engineering146

Oceanography798

Paleontology1266

Petrology and Geochemistry456

Urban and Regional planning208

Wildlife and Fisheries Management & Conservation658