Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Staff geologist education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a staff geologist. Staff geologists usually study geology, environmental science, or geological engineering. 84% of staff geologists hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,211 real staff geologist resumes to see exactly what staff geologist education sections show.
The most common colleges for staff geologists are the California State University - San Bernardino and the California State University - San Bernardino.
There are also many online staff geologist courses to help get the education required to be a staff geologist.
There are certain staff geologist certifications that you should consider. These staff geologist certifications include Certified Petroleum Geologist (CPG) and OSHA Safety Certificate .
What education do you need to become a staff geologist?
What degree do you need to be a staff geologist?
- Bachelor's, 84%
- Master's, 11%
- Associate, 3%
- Doctorate, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a staff geologist?
Most common colleges for staff geologists
| Staff geologist common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| California State University - San Bernardino | 11.88% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 9.41% |
| San Diego State University | 6.93% |
| University of South Florida | 5.45% |
| Texas A&M University | 5.45% |
Best majors for staff geologists
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Geology | 87.9% |
| 2 | Environmental Science | 3.0% |
| 3 | Geological Engineering | 2.2% |
| 4 | Biology | 1.0% |
| 5 | Geography | 0.8% |
Best colleges for staff geologists
The best colleges for staff geologists are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
A staff geologist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for staff geologists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become staff geologists.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
5. University of California - Davis
Davis, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$14,402
Enrollment
30,698
6. SUNY Stony Brook
Stony Brook, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,625
Enrollment
17,407
7. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
8. Texas A&M University
College Station, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$11,870
Enrollment
53,194
9. University of Massachusetts Amherst
Amherst, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$15,887
Enrollment
23,202
10. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,260
Enrollment
25,799
20 best online courses for staff geologists
Advertising disclosure
1. Threat Investigation
If you are an associate-level cybersecurity analyst who is working in security operation centers, this course will help you understand how threat-centric SOC must prepare for analyzing new and emerging threats by implementing robust security investigation procedures • By the end of the course, you will be able to: • Understand cyber-threat hunting concepts • Describe the five hunting maturity levels (HM0–HM4) • Describe the hunting cycle four-stage loop• Describe the use of the Common...
2. Investigative Journalism
How to find hidden sources. How to look for documents and people...
3. Microsoft SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS): 2022 edition
Build reports in MS SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS): Implement report layouts, add interactivity...
4. Mastering Construction/Project Management
Mastering Construction-Project Management in less than 10 Hours...
5. Advanced Crystal Reports 2011 Training Video
A Comprehensive Crystal Reports Training Course That Takes Your Crystal Reports Skills To The Next Level...
6. SAP Crystal Reports 2020 (and earlier versions)
How to create reports quickly and easily. For SAP Crystal Reports 2008, 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2020...
7. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 2 (SSRS)
SQL Server Reporting Services Part 2 (SSRS): Deployment, Security, Report Builder, Mobile Report Publisher...
8. Groundwater Potential Zones GIS - Complete Project ArcGIS
Also covers, Flood Risk Map, Drought Analysis, Fluctuation from Observed data, Watershed Delineation, Tutorial in depth...
9. SQL Server Reporting Services Part 1 (SSRS)
Learn how to create from simple to complex reports for your business decision making needs...
10. AML Case Investigation Skills
A guide to conducting AML case investigations, writing quality case narratives and the submission of STRs (STR filing)...
11. Technical Report Writing
An interactive course that focuses on practical skills. Taught by a leading Psychologist, University Lecturer & Author...
12. Learn SSRS SQL Reporting & Business Intelligence Essentials
SQL Reporting using SSRS gives you hands-on knowledge to make great SQL reports with Business Intelligence essentials...
13. Microsoft Project ADVANCED: Project Management Technics 3PDU
MS PROJECT 2016 ADVANCED Project Management Techniques -incl Enterprise level. HANDS-ON from #1 BESTSELLING INSTRUCTOR...
14. Construction Project Scheduling
Learn the tools and techniques used by construction management professionals to ensure projects finish on time...
15. Crystal Reports for SAP Business One Mastery Training Course
Learn how to easily create and modify SAP Business One reports and layouts using Crystal Reports...
16. Master Google Analytics 4 Reports and GTM Basics in 2023
Learn to analyze Google Analytics 4 reports, create powerful custom reports and tailor GA4 data with Google Tag Manager...
17. Mastering SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) From Scratch
Learn How to Create Reports using SSRS 2017 From Scratch Step By Step...
18. Primavera P6 Complete Course of Project Planning 2022
Complete course from program inception to reporting...
19. Project Management - Complete Guide For A+ Project Managers
Complete guide to project management - stakeholders, planning, cost, quality, risks, feasibility, methods & resourcing...
20. Agile Crash Course: Agile Project Management; Agile Delivery
Agile Project Management Basics (Scrum) & Agile Project Management Essentials (Scrum). Plus Agile Certification (Scrum)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for staff geologists
The most affordable schools for staff geologists are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and minot state university.
If the best universities for staff geologists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for staff geologists.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
4. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
6. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
7. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,992
Cost of attendance
22,430
10. Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$4,831
Cost of attendance
19,559
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for staff geologists
The hardest universities for staff geologists to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.
Some great schools for staff geologists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for staff geologists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
4. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
5. Amherst College
Amherst, MA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,449
6. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
7. Swarthmore College
Swarthmore, PA • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,465
8. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
9. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
10. Tufts University
Medford, MA • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,461
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for staff geologists
The easiest schools for staff geologists to get into are Wayland Baptist University, kean university, and san francisco state university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a staff geologist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for staff geologists.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
3. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
4. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
5. Pennsylvania State University - DuBois
DuBois, PA • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,079
6. Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania
Lock Haven, PA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
1,020
7. Midwestern State University
Wichita Falls, TX • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,033
8. Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,073
9. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
10. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
Average staff geologist salary by education level
| Staff geologist education level | Staff geologist salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $127,198 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $104,542 |
| Doctorate Degree | $147,325 |
Staff geologist education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common life, physical, and social science questions.
Search for staff geologist jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025