Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree

The best earth sciences liberal arts colleges are those with rich histories of influence, proven through the work produced by the program’s faculty and alumni. Beyond demonstrating scholarly impact in the field, the best earth sciences degree programs maximize your opportunities to interact with outstanding earth sciences faculty.

Top 10 Liberal Arts Colleges Earth Sciences Programs

Sort by:

Key Takeaways

  • Earth science is a broad field, but this is a great major, especially for those who dream of making a positive impact. The versatility of this major allows students to contribute to the advances in alternative energies, sustainability, agriculture, environmental conservation, and food production, among others.
  • There are different specialties within Earth science, and most likely, students will complete a set of core courses in STEM-related subject areas. Aside from the highly specialized electives, students should also take common courses to supplement their knowledge in the field.
  • Because of the many fields of specialization within Earth science, students also have a wide selection of career paths.

A bachelor’s degree in earth sciences is an excellent starting point for a career in meteorology, environmental conservation, renewable energy, and many other innovative fields. As an earth sciences major, you’ll study the Earth, its atmosphere, the materials and substances that compose them, and the processes that produce weather patterns, climate shifts, geological events, and more.

Your earth sciences degree will incorporate four primary sub-disciplines—geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy, as well as foundational courses in subjects such as mineralogy, climatology, hydrology, paleontology, agriculture, conservation, and preservation.

The best schools for earth sciences are those which are regionally accredited, which offer a full array of earth sciences concentrations, and which give you the chance to work with the best and most influential professors and classmates.

Bottom Line: Earth science is a very broad field that has numerous concentrations. Earning a degree in Earth science from a liberal arts college can open a number of career opportunities for graduates.


Featured Programs

Frequently Asked Questions About Earth Science Bachelor’s Degrees

Scientific careers tend to involve specialized, challenging, and well-paying jobs, and earth sciences is no different. Whether as an environmental scientist, geologist, or atmospheric scientist, landing a job in a branch of earth sciences can lead to a big paycheck.

Whether studying minerals, crystals, and magma deep within the Earth, or measuring patterns of atmospheric change, earth science majors lead interesting careers full of discovery, investigation, and problem-solving opportunities. Today, top influencers in earth sciences are bringing new light to volcanology, climate change, sustainability, and much more.

Back to Top

Earth sciences is a great major if you aspire to positively impact the earth and environment. This versatile degree gives you the opportunity to contribute to advances in sustainability, alternative energies, environmental conservation, agriculture, food production, and more. Your degree in earth sciences could put you in a position to produce findings, technology and innovations that could solve some of the world’s greatest challenges from global hunger to climate change.

Back to Top

Once you’ve declared your major in earth sciences, you will likely be required to complete a set of core courses in a number of STEM-related subject areas. While your concentration will give you a chance to choose from a wide range of highly-specialized earth sciences electives, there are several common courses that most earth sciences majors will be required to take, including:

  • Earth Materials
  • Earth Processes
  • Earth Climate and History
  • Paleontology
  • Geology
  • Climatology
  • Mineralogy
  • Petrology
  • Atmospheric Thermodynamics
  • Sedimentation and Tectonics
  • Atmospheric Instrumentation
  • Hydrology

Back to Top

With such a wide range of specialization options, earth science majors have an equally wide selection of career paths. Keep in mind, your major specialization largely determines your professional specialization, so if, for instance, you want to work as a geologist, we would recommend specializing in geology; if you plan to become a climate scientiest, specialize in meteorology. With the right focus, your earth sciences major can lead to a wide range of career opportunities, including these top jobs:

Back to Top

Related: How to Major in Earth Sciences

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Science Degree Programs

Earth scientists are professionals who study natural hazards, groundwater, climate, and environmental change, oceans, lakes, volcanoes, earthquakes, minerals, fossils, tectonics, sediments, rocks, and soils—basically the Earth itself. These scientists explore and study the active processes on our planet from its origin to today.

The Branches of Earth Science

There are numerous concentrations within the field of Earth science, but generally speaking, all branches of earth science are connected. Here are some of the major branches of Earth science.

Geology

Also known as Earth science or geoscience, geology studies the structure, dynamics, and evolution of the Earth and its natural energy and mineral resources. This field explores the means that shaped the Earth some 4500 million years ago.

Oceanography

This field applies geology, chemistry, biology, meteorology, and other sciences to study the ocean. This field is especially important today as pollution, climate change, and other factors threaten the ocean and its marine life. There are many branches of oceanography, including:

  • Physical oceanography studies water movements like ocean currents and waves
  • Marine geology studies structures and solid earth rocks in ocean basins
  • Chemical oceanography studies the natural elements in the ocean and is concerned with where carbon dioxide goes into the oceans

Meteorology and Climatology

Contrary to popular belief, meteorologists do not study meteors—but the atmosphere, the thin layer of gas surrounding the Earth. Meteorology includes the study of clouds, weather patterns, tornadoes, and hurricanes. With the use of satellites and radars, meteorologists work on forecasting or predicting the weather. Climatologists also study the Earth’s atmosphere and how climate will change in response to global warming.

Environmental Science

Environmental scientists study people’s effects on the environment, including landscape, water, atmosphere, and living things. Those seeking to pursue careers in this field ask questions about how Earth’s systems are changing because of human actions and predict what changes will come in the future.

Astronomy

It is the study of outer space and other physical bodies beyond Earth. Astronomers usually use a telescope to see things far beyond what our human eye can see. These professionals help design satellites or spacecraft that travel into space and send information about faraway places.

Reasons to Study Earth Science at a Liberal Arts College

There are many reasons to dive into the broad field of Earth science, but here are some of the top reasons:

  • If you love doing experiments in laboratories, Earth science provides you with a lot of opportunities to gain hands-on experience working on real-life challenges.
  • If you love science of all kinds, obtaining a degree in earth science allows you to further hone and complement your knowledge in chemistry, physics, biology, and math with that of geology and mineralogy.
  • If you love the outdoors, studying earth science allows you to do fieldwork in the environment you enjoy.

What courses will I take as an Earth sciences major at a liberal arts college?

Earth science is a general term for various science fields that relate to the planet Earth. It is simply a branch of planetary science. Think of it as the ‘owner’s manual’ for the planet.

In classes in Earth science, you will generally learn the nature of science and its application to Earth processes. You will learn about how the different parts of the Earth are interrelated.

Topics for classes in Earth science include:

  • Rocks and minerals
  • Earthquakes and faults
  • Plate tectonics
  • Landslides
  • Volcanoes
  • Floods and other natural disasters
  • Natural resources and ore deposits
  • Coasts and oceans
  • The weather and the atmosphere
  • The Earth’s climate and climate change
  • The Earth’s place in the solar system and the universe

Key Point: Earning a degree in Earth science at a liberal arts college will also mean that you will be taking classes that will broaden your scope of learning. Students don’t focus only on STEM courses, but liberal arts courses as well.

Earth science classes are not dry and boring at all! They are filled with theoretical data. Instead, you will be learning more about what is surrounding you and what is affecting you—from the latest pollution to earthquakes and even the gas price.

Students also use geography, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and chronology tools to understand how the Earth system works and evolves.

If you think a research university may be a better fit for you, see our ranking of the best research universities for a bachelor’s in earth sciences.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree

  1. #1

    Pomona College

    Claremont , CA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $57K

    Acceptance

    7%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Pomona College Earth Sciences Major:

    • Geology

    Pomona College Earth Sciences Major Concentrations:

    • General
    • Environmental Earth Science
    • Earth, Planetary and Space Science
    • Geochemistry
    • Public Policy
    Source
  2. #2

    Middlebury College

    Middlebury , VT
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    13%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1430/32

    Middlebury College Earth Sciences Majors:

    • Environmental Studies
    • Geology
    Source
  3. #3

    Swarthmore College

    Swarthmore , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $56K

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1467/32

    Swarthmore College Earth Sciences Major:

    • Environmental Studies
    Source
  4. #4

    Amherst College

    Amherst , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1495/33

  5. #5

    Williams College

    Williamstown , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

  6. #6

    Bowdoin College

    Brunswick , ME
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    9%

    Graduation

    94%

    Student body

    2K

  7. Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $58K

    Acceptance

    11%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1415/32

    Claremont McKenna College Interdisciplinary Earth Sciences Major Concentrations:

    • Environment, Economics & Politics (EEP)
    • Economics-Engineering
    • Neuroscience (Behavioral, Cognitive, and Philosophy Tracks)
    • Science Management (Natural Science Tracks)
    Source
  8. #8

    Wellesley College

    Wellesley , MA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    16%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1435/32

    Wellesley College Earth Sciences Major:

    • Geosciences
    Source
  9. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    8%

    Graduation

    91%

    Student body

    5K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1340/30

    USNA Earth Sciences Majors:

    • Oceanography
    • Polar Science & Technology
    Source
    Source
  10. #10

    Colgate University

    Hamilton , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $62K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1385/31

  11. Other Rankings

    Acceptance

    19%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1310/29

    USCGA Earth Sciences Major:

    • Marine and Environmental Sciences

    USCGA Earth Sciences Major Specializations:

    • Environmental Science
    • Marine Science
    • Marine Environmental Physics
    Source

  12. #18

    Vassar College

    Poughkeepsie , NY
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $63K

    Acceptance

    20%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

  13. #20

    Haverford College

    Haverford , PA
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $61K

    Acceptance

    18%

    Graduation

    90%

    Student body

    1K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1440/33

  14. #22

    Hamilton College

    Clinton , NY

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    14%

    Graduation

    92%

    Student body

    2K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1445/33

    Hamilton College Earth Sciences Majors:

    • Environmental Studies
    • Geoarchaeology
    • Geosciences
    Source
  15. #23

    Oberlin College

    Oberlin , OH
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $60K

    Acceptance

    34%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    3K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1315/30

Go to all Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences programs

The Best Earth Sciences Schools in Your State

Go to the best earth sciences schools in Alabama! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Alaska! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Arizona! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Arkansas! Go to the best earth sciences schools in California! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Colorado! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Connecticut! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Delaware! Go to the best earth sciences schools in District Of Columbia! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Florida! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Georgia! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Hawaii! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Idaho! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Illinois! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Indiana! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Iowa! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Kansas! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Kentucky! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Louisiana! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Maine! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Maryland! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Massachusetts! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Michigan! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Minnesota! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Mississippi! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Missouri! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Montana! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Nebraska! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Nevada! Go to the best earth sciences schools in New Hampshire! Go to the best earth sciences schools in New Jersey! Go to the best earth sciences schools in New Mexico! Go to the best earth sciences schools in New York! Go to the best earth sciences schools in North Carolina! Go to the best earth sciences schools in North Dakota! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Ohio! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Oklahoma! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Oregon! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Pennsylvania! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Puerto Rico! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Rhode Island! Go to the best earth sciences schools in South Carolina! Go to the best earth sciences schools in South Dakota! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Tennessee! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Texas! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Utah! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Vermont! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Virginia! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Washington! Go to the best earth sciences schools in West Virginia! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Wisconsin! Go to the best earth sciences schools in Wyoming!
Back to Top

Learn More About Earth Sciences

If you want to know more about Earth sciences, then check out our related content: