BACHELOR'S DEGREE · DEGREE PAYOFF · FEDERAL FIELD 4006

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences: is this bachelor's degree worth it?

National picture across 151 reporting college programs.

10-year estimate · Negative payoff

−$92,599 over 10 years

National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.

With these assumptions, the added earnings do not recover the cost within ten years.

16.0 yrsModeled economic break-even
−37%Modeled 10-year ROI
$60,453Observed earnings · year 4
Not reachedMaximum annual price for positive 10-year payoff
Includes direct price and earnings forgone while studying. Assumes $45,000 in alternative annual earnings and no wage growth. How we calculate it
A PRACTICAL READ

Four useful answers about Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

How much do Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences bachelor's degree graduates earn?

The national median is $60,453 four years after completion across reportable bachelor's degree programs in this federal field.

How much federal debt do graduates have?

The median reported federal debt is $24,830. The figure excludes private loans and does not describe every graduate.

Does the college matter for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences?

Yes. The middle half of reporting programs ranges from $55,954 to $66,922 in observed year-4 earnings.

What careers are related to Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences?

DegreeVerdict links this field to 7 displayed occupations using the official federal CIP–SOC crosswalk. Occupational wages are career context, not graduate salary promises.

PRICE SENSITIVITY

The price can change the verdict.

Hold observed earnings constant and see how the modeled ten-year payoff changes as annual price rises.

What stays fixed$60,453 observed annual earnings · 4 years of study · $45,000 alternative annual earnings · ten-year horizonThe marked price is the average college-wide net-price context across reporting institutions. This is a sensitivity test, not a tuition quote or earnings forecast.
WHAT THIS DEGREE PAYS

Observed national outcomes

$60,453Median reported earnings · year 4
$60,159Average reported earnings · year 5
$24,830Median federal debt
47thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
35IPEDS 2023–24 first-major awards across matched colleges
139With year-4 earnings

The award total covers 18 matched college records and is not extrapolated to colleges without a match.

COMPARE CREDENTIAL LEVELS

The same field can produce a different equation.

Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts, not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.

OPEN PROFILE

Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma

Year-4 earnings
$76,463
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
1
1 report earnings →
CURRENT VIEW

Bachelor's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$60,453
Federal debt
$24,830
Reporting programs
151
139 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Master's Degree

Year-4 earnings
$94,048
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
14
14 report earnings →
OPEN PROFILE

Doctoral Degree

Year-4 earnings
$97,886
Federal debt
Not available
Reporting programs
5
5 report earnings →
COLLEGE-TO-COLLEGE RANGE

Where the middle half of programs lands

Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.

Median
25th percentile$55,954National median$60,45375th percentile$66,922
139 programs report year‑4 earnings.
DECISION CHECK

What to compare before choosing a program

The national result is only the starting point. Price, debt and the college-level earnings spread can materially change the payoff.

$66,92275th-percentile year-4 earnings among reporting programs
$24,830Median federal debt across programs that report it
22Programs with earnings in the top quarter and debt at or below the median
PRICE × EARNINGS MAP

Where colleges sit for this exact degree

Move left for a lower annual college-wide net price and up for higher observed year-4 earnings.

$79,143Observed year-4 earnings$57,438
$5,746Annual college-wide average net price$25,346
All reporting colleges Lower-price, higher-earnings quadrantAxes trim the outer 5% for readability; outliers remain pinned to the chart edge. Price is institution-wide context, not exact program tuition.
Compare colleges

Put the same degree side by side.

Start with the leading reportable programs, then change the selection to match your shortlist.

Compare 3 programs →
Build your shortlist

Choose colleges offering this exact degree

Narrow one field and credential by location, sector and debt, then compare two to four programs side by side.

100 matchesSelect up to four · showing 25 currently operating colleges
1University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK · PublicYear-4 earnings$85,207Federal debt$29,250Annual net price$15,300
2The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$83,481Federal debt$16,487Annual net price$19,857
3Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BeaverMonaca, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$81,092Federal debt$26,000Annual net price$17,418
4Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusUniversity Park, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$81,092Federal debt$26,000Annual net price$32,875
5Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA · PublicYear-4 earnings$81,092Federal debt$26,000Annual net price$19,550
6University of California, Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$79,143Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$12,548
7Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$74,594Federal debt$20,837Annual net price$21,315
8Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX · PublicYear-4 earnings$74,591Federal debt$25,750Annual net price$19,070
9San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$73,647Federal debt$21,500Annual net price$15,364
10California State University, SacramentoSacramento, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$73,418Federal debt$15,000Annual net price$9,338
11University of California, DavisDavis, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$73,337Federal debt$16,416Annual net price$14,741
12California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$73,305Federal debt$19,375Annual net price$11,531
13Lehigh UniversityBethlehem, PA · Private nonprofitYear-4 earnings$72,978Federal debt$19,707Annual net price$36,931
14Colorado State University-Fort CollinsFort Collins, CO · PublicYear-4 earnings$71,631Federal debt$26,028Annual net price$21,279
15University of California, IrvineIrvine, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,820Federal debt$15,000Annual net price$14,251
16University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,284Federal debt$26,500Annual net price$22,811
17Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,106Federal debt$24,830Annual net price$24,406
18Rutgers University-NewarkNewark, NJ · PublicYear-4 earnings$70,106Federal debt$24,830Annual net price$19,703
19California State University, BakersfieldBakersfield, CA · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,989Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$5,652
20University of FloridaGainesville, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,943Federal debt$24,757Annual net price$6,541
21University of Florida-OnlineGainesville, FL · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,943Federal debt$24,757Annual net price$4,815
22University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,610Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$25,097
23University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusWaterbury, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,610Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$10,875
24University of Connecticut-Avery PointGroton, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,610Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$13,807
25University of Connecticut-StamfordStamford, CT · PublicYear-4 earnings$69,610Federal debtNot availableAnnual net price$16,798
Open the full program search →
WHERE OUTCOMES ARE STRONGEST

See the spread, not just the national number.

1University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus$85,2072The University of Texas at Austin$83,4813Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver$81,0924Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus$81,0925Pennsylvania State University-World Campus$81,0926University of California, Los Angeles$79,1437Texas A&M University-College Station$74,5948Texas Tech University$74,5919San Diego State University$73,64710California State University, Sacramento$73,418

Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking

Career outlook

Related occupations, wages and demand

Official CIP–SOC links show where this field can lead. They do not imply that every graduate enters the same occupation.

Pay and projected demand

Related careers do not share one outlook

Bubble size = annual openings2025–35 national projection

Occupation wages describe workers in these jobs, not graduates of this degree. BLS projections are national estimates and do not guarantee hiring.

Natural Sciences Managers$167,220 median wage108,690 U.S. jobs · SOC 11-9121+8.2% projected employment, 2025–35 · 9.2k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$79,710$316,850 10th–90th percentileAtmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary$103,170 median wage9,900 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1051+2.4% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$59,700$203,190 10th–90th percentileGeoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$101,920 median wage23,470 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-2042+5.1% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.8k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$59,330$200,230 10th–90th percentileHydrologists$96,600 median wage5,850 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-2043+1.5% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Bachelor's degree$64,020$153,130 10th–90th percentileChemistry Teachers, Postsecondary$93,250 median wage19,980 U.S. jobs · SOC 25-1052+2.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1.7k annual openingsTypical entry education: Doctoral or professional degree$57,870$172,110 10th–90th percentileHydrologic Technicians$64,790 median wage2,840 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-4044-1.3% projected employment, 2025–35 · 0.4k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$44,950$100,480 10th–90th percentileGeological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians$53,350 median wage6,980 U.S. jobs · SOC 19-4043+3.6% projected employment, 2025–35 · 1k annual openingsTypical entry education: Associate's degree$35,770$99,560 10th–90th percentile

BLS May 2025 wages and 2025–35 employment projections. Career context is separate from graduate outcomes.

BEST COLLEGES FOR GEOLOGICAL AND EARTH SCIENCES/GEOSCIENCES

Same degree, different outcomes

Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario, not an individual aid offer.

#CollegeLocationEarnings, year 4Federal debt10-year ROIVerdict
1University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusBachelor's DegreeNorman, OK$85,207$29,250+67%Positive payoff
2The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's DegreeAustin, TX$83,481$16,487+48%Positive payoff
3Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BeaverBachelor's DegreeMonaca, PA$81,092$26,000+45%Positive payoff
4Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeUniversity Park, PA$81,092$26,000+16%Positive payoff
5Pennsylvania State University-World CampusBachelor's DegreeUniversity Park, PA$81,092$26,000+40%Positive payoff
6University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's DegreeLos Angeles, CA$79,143Not available+48%Positive payoff
7Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's DegreeCollege Station, TX$74,594$20,837+12%Positive payoff
8Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's DegreeLubbock, TX$74,591$25,750+15%Positive payoff
9San Diego State UniversityBachelor's DegreeSan Diego, CA$73,647$21,500+19%Positive payoff
10California State University, SacramentoBachelor's DegreeSacramento, CA$73,418$15,000+31%Positive payoff
11University of California, DavisBachelor's DegreeDavis, CA$73,337$16,416+19%Positive payoff
12California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's DegreePomona, CA$73,305$19,375+25%Positive payoff
13Lehigh UniversityBachelor's DegreeBethlehem, PA$72,978$19,707-15%Negative payoff
14Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's DegreeFort Collins, CO$71,631$26,028+0%Positive payoff
15University of California, IrvineBachelor's DegreeIrvine, CA$70,820$15,000+9%Positive payoff
16University of South Carolina-ColumbiaBachelor's DegreeColumbia, SC$70,284$26,500-7%Negative payoff
17Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's DegreeNew Brunswick, NJ$70,106$24,830-10%Negative payoff
18Rutgers University-NewarkBachelor's DegreeNewark, NJ$70,106$24,830-3%Negative payoff
19California State University, BakersfieldBachelor's DegreeBakersfield, CA$69,989Not available+23%Positive payoff
20University of FloridaBachelor's DegreeGainesville, FL$69,943$24,757+21%Positive payoff
21University of Florida-OnlineBachelor's DegreeGainesville, FL$69,943$24,757+25%Positive payoff
22University of ConnecticutBachelor's DegreeStorrs, CT$69,610Not available-12%Negative payoff
23University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's DegreeWaterbury, CT$69,610Not available+10%Positive payoff
24University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's DegreeGroton, CT$69,610Not available+5%Positive payoff
25University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's DegreeStamford, CT$69,610Not available-0%Negative payoff
26University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's DegreeHartford, CT$69,610Not available+0%Positive payoff
27California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's DegreeSan Luis Obispo, CA$69,227$15,000-2%Negative payoff
28University of WyomingBachelor's DegreeLaramie, WY$68,883$23,700+2%Positive payoff
29University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's DegreeChampaign, IL$68,201$23,250-2%Negative payoff
30University of HoustonBachelor's DegreeHouston, TX$68,127$25,000-2%Negative payoff
31Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's DegreeBaton Rouge, LA$67,493$19,500-12%Negative payoff
32Western Washington UniversityBachelor's DegreeBellingham, WA$67,208$26,158-16%Negative payoff
33Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's DegreeSaint Clairsville, OH$66,922$19,500+12%Positive payoff
34Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's DegreeChillicothe, OH$66,922$19,500+8%Positive payoff
35Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's DegreeIronton, OH$66,922$19,500+7%Positive payoff
36Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's DegreeLancaster, OH$66,922$19,500+8%Positive payoff
37Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeAthens, OH$66,922$19,500-18%Negative payoff
38Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's DegreeZanesville, OH$66,922$19,500+8%Positive payoff
39University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's DegreeSeattle, WA$66,845$20,500-8%Negative payoff
40University of Washington-Bothell CampusBachelor's DegreeBothell, WA$66,845$20,500-5%Negative payoff
41West Virginia UniversityBachelor's DegreeMorgantown, WV$66,798$23,250-10%Negative payoff
42University of California, Santa BarbaraBachelor's DegreeSanta Barbara, CA$66,788$21,800-11%Negative payoff
43Florida State UniversityBachelor's DegreeTallahassee, FL$66,157Not available-6%Negative payoff
44University of Southern MississippiBachelor's DegreeHattiesburg, MS$66,142Not available-21%Negative payoff
45Montclair State UniversityBachelor's DegreeMontclair, NJ$65,826$25,000-14%Negative payoff
46The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's DegreeArlington, TX$65,294$27,931-14%Negative payoff
47Iowa State UniversityBachelor's DegreeAmes, IA$65,204$26,250-21%Negative payoff
48State University of New York at OswegoBachelor's DegreeOswego, NY$64,634$27,000-20%Negative payoff
49University of California, Santa CruzBachelor's DegreeSanta Cruz, CA$64,499$20,833-22%Negative payoff
50SUNY OneontaBachelor's DegreeOneonta, NY$64,410Not available-24%Negative payoff
51College of CharlestonBachelor's DegreeCharleston, SC$63,993$26,500-26%Negative payoff
52University of Minnesota-DuluthBachelor's DegreeDuluth, MN$63,893$27,219-26%Negative payoff
53University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeBachelor's DegreeMilwaukee, WI$63,838$27,000-22%Negative payoff
54Eastern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's DegreeWillimantic, CT$63,566$26,000-30%Negative payoff
55University of ArizonaBachelor's DegreeTucson, AZ$63,387$26,000-25%Negative payoff
56Auburn UniversityBachelor's DegreeAuburn, AL$63,298$27,000-34%Negative payoff
57University of UtahBachelor's DegreeSalt Lake City, UT$62,867Not available-27%Negative payoff
58Michigan State UniversityBachelor's DegreeEast Lansing, MI$62,448$29,869-33%Negative payoff
59Southern New Hampshire UniversityBachelor's DegreeManchester, NH$62,360$31,349-47%Negative payoff
60Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's DegreeMississippi State, MS$62,082$26,286-32%Negative payoff
61SUNY College at PotsdamBachelor's DegreePotsdam, NY$62,004Not available-27%Negative payoff
62Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's DegreeAllendale, MI$61,868$28,750-31%Negative payoff
63University of KansasBachelor's DegreeLawrence, KS$61,838$27,000-33%Negative payoff
64University of South AlabamaBachelor's DegreeMobile, AL$61,632Not available-34%Negative payoff
65University of Illinois ChicagoBachelor's DegreeChicago, IL$61,206$27,000-28%Negative payoff
66North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's DegreeRaleigh, NC$61,023$22,234-36%Negative payoff
67University of Michigan-Ann ArborBachelor's DegreeAnn Arbor, MI$60,949$17,875-31%Negative payoff
68University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's DegreeMinneapolis, MN$60,715$21,700-36%Negative payoff
69University of South FloridaBachelor's DegreeTampa, FL$60,472$24,002-29%Negative payoff
70University of Colorado BoulderBachelor's DegreeBoulder, CO$60,453$25,000-45%Negative payoff
71University of North Carolina WilmingtonBachelor's DegreeWilmington, NC$60,414$26,000-41%Negative payoff
72Northern Arizona UniversityBachelor's DegreeFlagstaff, AZ$60,402$22,000-35%Negative payoff
73University of West GeorgiaBachelor's DegreeCarrollton, GA$60,355$25,500-34%Negative payoff
74Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's DegreeBloomsburg, PA$60,075$29,725-38%Negative payoff
75State University of New York at CortlandBachelor's DegreeCortland, NY$60,027Not available-44%Negative payoff
76Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's DegreeBlacksburg, VA$59,969Not available-47%Negative payoff
77University at BuffaloBachelor's DegreeBuffalo, NY$59,841$23,250-44%Negative payoff
78University of California, RiversideBachelor's DegreeRiverside, CA$59,677Not available-38%Negative payoff
79Miami University-OxfordBachelor's DegreeOxford, OH$59,558$20,862-50%Negative payoff
80Salem State UniversityBachelor's DegreeSalem, MA$59,424Not available-41%Negative payoff
81Missouri University of Science and TechnologyBachelor's DegreeRolla, MO$59,252Not available-42%Negative payoff
82California State University, FullertonBachelor's DegreeFullerton, CA$58,891$15,125-33%Negative payoff
83The University of Texas at DallasBachelor's DegreeRichardson, TX$58,840$25,500-45%Negative payoff
84University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's DegreeMadison, WI$58,771$25,000-45%Negative payoff
85Pacific Lutheran UniversityBachelor's DegreeTacoma, WA$58,472Not available-48%Negative payoff
86Western Michigan UniversityBachelor's DegreeKalamazoo, MI$58,164Not available-45%Negative payoff
87University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's DegreeDurham, NH$58,045Not available-53%Negative payoff
88University of Northern ColoradoBachelor's DegreeGreeley, CO$57,989$26,000-48%Negative payoff
89Portland State UniversityBachelor's DegreePortland, OR$57,932$24,125-41%Negative payoff
90University of Houston-DowntownBachelor's DegreeHouston, TX$57,892$20,250-42%Negative payoff
91Pennsylvania Western UniversityBachelor's DegreeCalifornia, PA$57,549Not available-50%Negative payoff
92The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's DegreeSan Antonio, TX$57,540$18,969-44%Negative payoff
93University of Pittsburgh-BradfordBachelor's DegreeBradford, PA$57,456$26,000-48%Negative payoff
94University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownBachelor's DegreeJohnstown, PA$57,456$26,000-51%Negative payoff
95University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusBachelor's DegreePittsburgh, PA$57,456$26,000-59%Negative payoff
96Central Michigan UniversityBachelor's DegreeMount Pleasant, MI$57,438$31,000-50%Negative payoff
97Wayne State UniversityBachelor's DegreeDetroit, MI$57,203Not available-47%Negative payoff
98Lake Superior State UniversityBachelor's DegreeSault Ste Marie, MI$56,905Not available-49%Negative payoff
99University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireBachelor's DegreeEau Claire, WI$56,739$21,000-52%Negative payoff
100Middle Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's DegreeMurfreesboro, TN$56,405$31,256-51%Negative payoff

This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.