Compare 8 Geological/Geophysical Engineering. programs ranked by graduate earnings. Average earnings: $78,187. Top programs: $93,629+.
The highest-earning Geological/Geophysical Engineering program isn't at the most prestigious school. With a $35K earnings gap across 8 programs—ranging from $59K to $94K—the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand. A specialized public technical school in Montana outperforms programs at nationally recognized universities.
Montana Technological University leads all ranked programs, with Geological/Geophysical Engineering graduates earning $93,629—well above the $78K field average. Colorado School of Mines follows at $88,484, and Michigan Technological University delivers $81,862. All three are specialized public institutions, not household-name research universities, reinforcing that program reputation and school reputation are different things.
Montana Tech doesn't just lead on earnings—it leads on affordability too. Graduates borrow $18,750 in student loans and face just a 3.6% payment burden, firmly in the 'Excellent' tier. When family borrowing is included, the combined burden rises to only 6.3%—still 'Excellent.' Loan payments are genuinely trivial relative to what graduates earn. [Learn how to evaluate programs beyond school prestige →](https://collegeazimuth.com/blog/how-to-evaluate-programs)
Highest program earnings: $93,629
Strong outcomes ($93,629) with 91% acceptance
3.6% payment burden | Excellent
6.3% family burden | Excellent
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $93,629 | 8 | $18,750 | Excellent | $12,000 | Excellent | |
| #2 | Colorado School Of MinesPublic | $88,484 | 72 | $23,000 | Excellent | $53,505 | Manageable |
| #3 | $81,862 | 6 | $24,990 | Excellent | $29,300 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $78,079 | 9 | $18,922 | Excellent | $26,150 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $75,779 | 6 | $27,000 | Excellent | $23,390 | Manageable | |
| #6 | $75,259 | 14 | $23,250 | Excellent | $30,462 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $73,337 | 13 | $20,484 | Excellent | $28,364 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $59,070 | 37 | $20,000 | Excellent | $29,387 | Challenging |
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 →
