Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 151 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · 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.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
16.0 yrsModeled economic break-even
−37%Modeled 10-year ROI
$60,453Observed earnings · year 4
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
151Reporting programs
139With year-4 earnings
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
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $60,453
- Federal debt
- $24,830
- Reporting programs
- 151
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $94,048
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 14
Doctoral Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $97,886
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 5
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.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$73,418Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1051 · 8 crosswalk linksNatural Sciences ManagersSOC 11-9121 · 8 crosswalk linksGeoscientists, Except Hydrologists and GeographersSOC 19-2042 · 7 crosswalk linksHydrologistsSOC 19-2043 · 3 crosswalk linksChemistry Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1052 · 1 crosswalk linksGeological Technicians, Except Hydrologic TechniciansSOC 19-4043 · 1 crosswalk linksHydrologic TechniciansSOC 19-4044 · 1 crosswalk links
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.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusBachelor's Degree | Norman, OK | $85,207 | $29,250 | +67% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $83,481 | $16,487 | +48% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Penn State BeaverBachelor's Degree | Monaca, PA | $81,092 | $26,000 | +45% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $81,092 | $26,000 | +16% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $81,092 | $26,000 | +40% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $79,143 | Not available | +48% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $74,594 | $20,837 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $74,591 | $25,750 | +15% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | San Diego State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $73,647 | $21,500 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $73,418 | $15,000 | +31% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | University of California, DavisBachelor's Degree | Davis, CA | $73,337 | $16,416 | +19% | Positive payoff |
| 12 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $73,305 | $19,375 | +25% | Positive payoff |
| 13 | Lehigh UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bethlehem, PA | $72,978 | $19,707 | -15% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | Colorado State University-Fort CollinsBachelor's Degree | Fort Collins, CO | $71,631 | $26,028 | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | University of California, IrvineBachelor's Degree | Irvine, CA | $70,820 | $15,000 | +9% | Positive payoff |
| 16 | University of South Carolina-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, SC | $70,284 | $26,500 | -7% | Negative payoff |
| 17 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $70,106 | $24,830 | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | Rutgers University-NewarkBachelor's Degree | Newark, NJ | $70,106 | $24,830 | -3% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | California State University, BakersfieldBachelor's Degree | Bakersfield, CA | $69,989 | Not available | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 20 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $69,943 | $24,757 | +21% | Positive payoff |
| 21 | University of Florida-OnlineBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $69,943 | $24,757 | +25% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $69,610 | Not available | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 23 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $69,610 | Not available | +10% | Positive payoff |
| 24 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $69,610 | Not available | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $69,610 | Not available | -0% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $69,610 | Not available | +0% | Positive payoff |
| 27 | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoBachelor's Degree | San Luis Obispo, CA | $69,227 | $15,000 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | University of WyomingBachelor's Degree | Laramie, WY | $68,883 | $23,700 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 29 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $68,201 | $23,250 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 30 | University of HoustonBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $68,127 | $25,000 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $67,493 | $19,500 | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | Western Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bellingham, WA | $67,208 | $26,158 | -16% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's Degree | Saint Clairsville, OH | $66,922 | $19,500 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 34 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $66,922 | $19,500 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 35 | Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's Degree | Ironton, OH | $66,922 | $19,500 | +7% | Positive payoff |
| 36 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $66,922 | $19,500 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 37 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $66,922 | $19,500 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's Degree | Zanesville, OH | $66,922 | $19,500 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 39 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $66,845 | $20,500 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | University of Washington-Bothell CampusBachelor's Degree | Bothell, WA | $66,845 | $20,500 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $66,798 | $23,250 | -10% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | University of California, Santa BarbaraBachelor's Degree | Santa Barbara, CA | $66,788 | $21,800 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | Florida State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tallahassee, FL | $66,157 | Not available | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | University of Southern MississippiBachelor's Degree | Hattiesburg, MS | $66,142 | Not available | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Montclair State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Montclair, NJ | $65,826 | $25,000 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | The University of Texas at ArlingtonBachelor's Degree | Arlington, TX | $65,294 | $27,931 | -14% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Iowa State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ames, IA | $65,204 | $26,250 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | State University of New York at OswegoBachelor's Degree | Oswego, NY | $64,634 | $27,000 | -20% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | University of California, Santa CruzBachelor's Degree | Santa Cruz, CA | $64,499 | $20,833 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | SUNY OneontaBachelor's Degree | Oneonta, NY | $64,410 | Not available | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | College of CharlestonBachelor's Degree | Charleston, SC | $63,993 | $26,500 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | University of Minnesota-DuluthBachelor's Degree | Duluth, MN | $63,893 | $27,219 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $63,838 | $27,000 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Eastern Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Willimantic, CT | $63,566 | $26,000 | -30% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | University of ArizonaBachelor's Degree | Tucson, AZ | $63,387 | $26,000 | -25% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | Auburn UniversityBachelor's Degree | Auburn, AL | $63,298 | $27,000 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $62,867 | Not available | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $62,448 | $29,869 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Southern New Hampshire UniversityBachelor's Degree | Manchester, NH | $62,360 | $31,349 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | Mississippi State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mississippi State, MS | $62,082 | $26,286 | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | SUNY College at PotsdamBachelor's Degree | Potsdam, NY | $62,004 | Not available | -27% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Allendale, MI | $61,868 | $28,750 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | University of KansasBachelor's Degree | Lawrence, KS | $61,838 | $27,000 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | University of South AlabamaBachelor's Degree | Mobile, AL | $61,632 | Not available | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | University of Illinois ChicagoBachelor's Degree | Chicago, IL | $61,206 | $27,000 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | North Carolina State University at RaleighBachelor's Degree | Raleigh, NC | $61,023 | $22,234 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | University of Michigan-Ann ArborBachelor's Degree | Ann Arbor, MI | $60,949 | $17,875 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $60,715 | $21,700 | -36% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | University of South FloridaBachelor's Degree | Tampa, FL | $60,472 | $24,002 | -29% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | University of Colorado BoulderBachelor's Degree | Boulder, CO | $60,453 | $25,000 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | University of North Carolina WilmingtonBachelor's Degree | Wilmington, NC | $60,414 | $26,000 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Northern Arizona UniversityBachelor's Degree | Flagstaff, AZ | $60,402 | $22,000 | -35% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | University of West GeorgiaBachelor's Degree | Carrollton, GA | $60,355 | $25,500 | -34% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Commonwealth University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Bloomsburg, PA | $60,075 | $29,725 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | State University of New York at CortlandBachelor's Degree | Cortland, NY | $60,027 | Not available | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $59,969 | Not available | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | University at BuffaloBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $59,841 | $23,250 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | University of California, RiversideBachelor's Degree | Riverside, CA | $59,677 | Not available | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | Miami University-OxfordBachelor's Degree | Oxford, OH | $59,558 | $20,862 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Salem State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, MA | $59,424 | Not available | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Missouri University of Science and TechnologyBachelor's Degree | Rolla, MO | $59,252 | Not available | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | California State University, FullertonBachelor's Degree | Fullerton, CA | $58,891 | $15,125 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | The University of Texas at DallasBachelor's Degree | Richardson, TX | $58,840 | $25,500 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $58,771 | $25,000 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Pacific Lutheran UniversityBachelor's Degree | Tacoma, WA | $58,472 | Not available | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | Western Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kalamazoo, MI | $58,164 | Not available | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | University of New Hampshire-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Durham, NH | $58,045 | Not available | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | University of Northern ColoradoBachelor's Degree | Greeley, CO | $57,989 | $26,000 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Portland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $57,932 | $24,125 | -41% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | University of Houston-DowntownBachelor's Degree | Houston, TX | $57,892 | $20,250 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Pennsylvania Western UniversityBachelor's Degree | California, PA | $57,549 | Not available | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $57,540 | $18,969 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | University of Pittsburgh-BradfordBachelor's Degree | Bradford, PA | $57,456 | $26,000 | -48% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownBachelor's Degree | Johnstown, PA | $57,456 | $26,000 | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusBachelor's Degree | Pittsburgh, PA | $57,456 | $26,000 | -59% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Central Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mount Pleasant, MI | $57,438 | $31,000 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | Wayne State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Detroit, MI | $57,203 | Not available | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Lake Superior State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Sault Ste Marie, MI | $56,905 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireBachelor's Degree | Eau Claire, WI | $56,739 | $21,000 | -52% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | Middle Tennessee State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Murfreesboro, 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.