Is a research university right for me?–

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students. Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel. Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well. Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Is a liberal arts college right for me?–

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree. Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom). Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Is an online college right for me?–

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college. Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain. Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc. The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions. If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find, well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earth Sciences Degree

By Dr. Jed Macosko and James Barham

Published: Nov 5, 2021
Updated: Mar 13, 2023

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

63%

61%

61%

60%

58%

58%

United States Naval Academy

57%

52%

51%

51%

35%

34%

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

33%

Macalester College

31%

Scripps College

30%

Vassar College

20%

United States Coast Guard Academy

19%

Washington and Lee University

19%

Carleton College

18%

Haverford College

18%

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

21 to 1

10 to 1

10 to 1

10 to 1

9 to 1

9 to 1

9 to 1

9 to 1

9 to 1

9 to 1

$62,870

$62,070

$61,966

$61,220

$61,210

$61,150

$60,752

$60,518

$60,240

$60,225

Claremont McKenna College

$64,288

$61,940

$61,594

$59,728

$46,774

$34,300

$29,692

$26,112

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

$7,176

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

30%

United States Coast Guard Academy

35%

36%

37%

41%

42%

Claremont McKenna College

43%

44%

45%

46%

United States Naval Academy

Claremont McKenna College

11%

13%

14%

6 to 1

6 to 1

7 to 1

7 to 1

United States Coast Guard Academy

7 to 1

Wellesley College

7 to 1

Carleton College

8 to 1

Bowdoin College

8 to 1

Washington and Lee University

8 to 1

Vassar College

8 to 1

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

$5,742

Swarthmore College

$56,056

Pomona College

$56,686

Pitzer College

$57,978

Claremont McKenna College

$58,111

Bowdoin College

$58,322

Scripps College

$58,442

Bates College

$59,062

Washington and Lee University

$59,380

Williams College

$59,660

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

$7,176

$26,112

$29,692

$34,300

$46,774

$59,728

$61,594

$61,940

Claremont McKenna College

$64,288

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.

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.

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

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:

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.

Frequently Asked Questions About Research Universities, Liberal Arts Colleges, Online Colleges

In pursuing a bachelor’s degree, you will need to choose between three kinds of schools: research universities, liberal arts colleges, and online colleges.

Research universities are colleges and universities whose faculty are active in research and publishing. Research universities offer a wide array of doctoral programs, especially in the sciences. They tend to be big, with tens of thousands of students.

Do you prefer a larger university setting, such as largest public university in your state? Research universities are typically big, offering degrees in many different disciplines. Is a big high-powered research environment the thing for you. If not, you should think about a liberal arts college. In deciding on an undergraduate institution, ask yourself what sort of environment will best help you to be happy and excel.

Consider whether you are self motivated enough to be a face in the crowd for some classes and largely unknown on campus at a large university. Of course you can find clubs and friends at a large university, but often liberal arts colleges have a more personal quality to them. If you want the community feel, a research university may not fit you well.
Are you interested in STEM fields? Research universities have that name for a reason – real research is happening there. This can create an exciting atmosphere for students interested in STEM. Attending a research university can give you a better chance of getting into better programs for graduate degrees, although a lot of that depends on your performance.

Learn more about research universities by reading about the best research universities in the US.

Often referred to as “teaching colleges” liberal arts colleges put a premium on undergraduate studies and offers a broad range of subjects for students to study. A college of liberal arts typically provides smaller class sizes, more direct engagement with professors, and, most importantly, the opportunity to sample a wide range of subject areas on the way to a bachelor’s degree.

Do you want your professors to know you? Liberal arts colleges strive to cultivate campus cultures that encourage tight bonds between professors and students. Professors at these schools will typically conduct original research. Yet the best of these schools offer their faculty reduced teaching loads so that they can both be productive researchers and still have plenty of time for students (both in and outside the classroom).
Do you want to feel like you know everybody? One of the most enticing features of a liberal arts college is that in very little time, you can feel like you know who’s who, which can create strong friendships, but also more pleasurable walks across campus. While your sports teams may never be on ESPN, it’s more likely that you’ll know the athletes as your peers. Beyond student and faculty relationships, it’s not unusual for the school president and other administrators to learn who you are. When faced with problems with your student account or the need to switch classes, this can be comforting during a stressful moment.

Learn more about liberal arts colleges by reading about the best liberal arts colleges in the US.

Online colleges are typically the same colleges and universities you could attend in-person, but for certain degree programs the college or unviersity has made the degree programs available to be completed online. For over 5 million students, online degree programs allow students to earn their degrees in the most flexible format available. Online degrees are as respected as the on-campus degress you could earn from the same schools. There’s usually no disctinction between the two degrees, and your degree and transcript will not say that the degree was earned online. Online degree programs are offered by a vast majority of colleges and universities, and the number of offering continues to grow. Whehter you are searching for an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate, there’s a good chance you can earn your degree online from a respectable online college.

Are you a self-driven student? Perhaps the hardest aspect of obtaining an online degree is whether you will be disciplined enough to manage your time and course demands. Many online students report that online college made them more disciplined in all areas of their lives, but the flexible, self-paced learning that makes online colleges attractive can often be the same qualities that make it difficult. If you tend to be a procrastinator, you need to be honest with yourself. You can change your habits and propensities, or you can throw money down the drain.
Do you need the flexibility of an online degree program? Most online students study online because of time demands balancing work and life, or becuase the online colleges afford them the chance to attend a better school without moving. If you are serious about earning your degree for career advancement, online colleges make it possible. The most flexible options among online degrees are those that are aynchronous, meaning you don’t have scheduled times to meet with your class online. However, many students seek synchronous online degree programs so that they have some structure – set meeting times, scheduled exams, etc.
The good news is that attending an online college doesn’t mean you will miss out on getting to know your professors and classmates. In fact, many online students who have experienced both online and on-campus courses report having easier access to their professors. Since most communication with your professor is expected to be in text – via email or your class learning management system – it makes asking your questions easier. The same students also report that they got to better know the thoughts of their classmates. While in-person course conversations can be dominated by a few extroverts, online courses that require online discussions make it so that you see all of your classmates’ thoughts and questions.

If you’re interested in an online bachelor’s degree, check out what the best online colleges offer, or search our online degrees for the exact program that interests you. In either case, you will find well respected colleges and universities that offer online degrees.

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.

How do we determine the best earth sciences research universities?

Methodology

The people affiliated with a school are ultimately what make it great. This is why we rank the best colleges and universities based on what we call “Influence”.

The influence of a college or university is based on the schools’s top academic influencers related to the discipline in this ranking. We track the influence of faculty and alumni affiliate with these school counting not only the publications and citations of the school’s affiliated people, but we also consider the overall web presence of the faculty and alumni. The greater the citations, authority of web links, web searches, and page views, the greater the individuals’s influence. Those combined make up the departments’s influence in the field of study. We believe tracking the academic influence of the people affiliated with a school is the best indicator of academic excellence.

If you are serious about finding the best colleges and universities, you should be asking where the most influential professors are teaching, and whether their graduates themselves are advancing the school’s reputation for academic excellence. Most ranking sites rely on an opaque combination of reputation surveys and misused performance metrics. Influence, as measured by our InfluenceRanking engine, provides a ranking that is more insulated from manipulation, and more reflective of real-world educational outcomes.