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 $33K earnings gap across 7 programs, the data confirms: program-level factors drive outcomes more than institutional brand.
University of Wisconsin-Madison's Geological/Geophysical Engineering program leads with graduates earning $80,090, well above the $61,875 average. Colorado School of Mines follows at $72,556, while University of Nevada-Reno delivers $63,135—proving specialized programs compete regardless of overall school rankings.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. Wisconsin graduates borrow $20,484 and face just a 4.9% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. That means loan payments take a minimal bite out of their post-grad income, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.26.
Highest program earnings: $80,090
Strong outcomes ($72,556) with 60% acceptance
4.9% payment burden | Excellent
12.7% family burden | Manageable
| 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 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
