Compare 173 Geochemistry. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $52,766. Top programs: $85,207+.
While school rankings suggest predictable outcomes, Geochemistry tells a different story. Across 173 programs, earnings range from $11,851 to $85,207—variation that tracks program quality, not overall school reputation. The school with the highest-earning geochemistry graduates isn't the most selective on this list, which means prestige-based assumptions leave real money on the table.
Topping the list, the University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus delivers $85,207 in median geochemistry earnings—against a field average of $52,766. UT Austin follows at $83,481 and Penn State at $81,092, all public universities outperforming many private competitors. The pattern is consistent: program-level investment, not institutional brand, drives what graduates earn.
For students borrowing independently, UCLA stands out with a 3.4% payment burden and an 'Excellent' GPS affordability rating—loan payments that represent a trivial share of post-grad income on $79,143 in earnings. For families factoring in parent loans, California State University-Bakersfield leads with a combined 7.8% family burden, also rated 'Excellent'—proof that strong geochemistry outcomes don't require a large debt load.
Highest program earnings: $85,207
Strong outcomes ($85,207) with 76.6% acceptance
3.4% payment burden | Excellent
7.8% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $85,207 | 16 | $20,654 | Excellent | $31,890 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $83,481 | 46 | $20,500 | Excellent | $26,632 | Good | |
| #3 | $81,092 | 57 | $25,000 | Excellent | $38,368 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $79,143 | 30 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Good | |
| #5 | $74,594 | 46 | $17,804 | Excellent | $32,258 | Manageable | |
| #6 | Texas Tech UniversityPublic | $74,591 | 17 | $21,500 | Excellent | $23,443 | Manageable |
| #7 | $74,453 | 21 | — | — | — | — | |
| #8 | $73,647 | 21 | $15,000 | Excellent | $25,565 | Good | |
| #9 | $73,418 | 26 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Good | |
| #10 | $73,337 | 20 | $13,000 | Excellent | $25,733 | Good | |
| #11 | $73,305 | 14 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Good | |
| #12 | Lehigh UniversityPrivate | $72,978 | 11 | $21,960 | Excellent | $42,245 | Challenging |
| #13 | $71,631 | 34 | $20,000 | Excellent | $36,000 | Manageable | |
| #14 | $70,820 | 40 | $15,000 | Excellent | $22,665 | Good | |
| #15 | $70,284 | 14 | $21,500 | Excellent | $31,393 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $69,989 | 11 | $16,600 | Excellent | $9,000 | Excellent | |
| #17 | University Of FloridaPublic | $69,943 | 27 | $15,000 | Excellent | $18,837 | Good |
| #18 | $69,610 | 8 | $21,500 | Excellent | $35,324 | Challenging | |
| #19 | $69,227 | 23 | $18,500 | Excellent | $35,000 | Manageable | |
| #20 | University Of WyomingPublic | $68,883 | 30 | $18,000 | Excellent | $16,000 | Good |
| #21 | $68,201 | 18 | $19,500 | Excellent | $34,511 | Manageable | |
| #22 | University Of HoustonPublic | $68,127 | 27 | $18,194 | Excellent | $18,072 | Good |
| #23 | $67,493 | 35 | $20,500 | Excellent | $25,645 | Manageable | |
| #24 | $67,208 | 52 | $18,500 | Excellent | $23,123 | Manageable | |
| #25 | $66,922 | 29 | $21,056 | Excellent | $23,508 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on May 2026 refresh for 2026 rankings, based on Department of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
