Geophysics and Seismology
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physics of solids and its application to the study of the earth and other planets. Includes instruction in gravimetric, seismology, earthquake forecasting, magnetrometry, electrical properties of solid bodies, plate tectonics, active deformation, thermodynamics, remote sensing, geodesy, and laboratory simulations of geological processes.
- Schools offering
- 30
- Annual completions
- 55
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $61k
About this major
A program that focuses on the scientific study of the physics of solids and its application to the study of the earth and other planets. Includes instruction in gravimetric, seismology, earthquake forecasting, magnetrometry, electrical properties of solid bodies, plate tectonics, active deformation, thermodynamics, remote sensing, geodesy, and laboratory simulations of geological processes.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural sciences managers | $161k | +3.7% | Bachelor's degree |
| Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers | $99k | +3.2% | Bachelor's degree |
| Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary | $101k | +2.6% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$61k
Top colleges for Geophysics and Seismology
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Western Washington University | Bellingham, WA | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| University of Houston | Houston, TX | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| University of Washington-Seattle Campus | Seattle, WA | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus | Norman, OK | 0 | 5 | 5 |
| Brown University | Providence, RI | 0 | 4 | 4 |
| University of California-Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| The University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| University of California-Riverside | Riverside, CA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Stanford University | Stanford, CA | 0 | 3 | 3 |
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