Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Adams State University

Based on comparable geoscience programs in Colorado, Adams State graduates enter the job market around $46,263—a figure that sits comfortably above the national median of $39,678 for this field. The estimated $26,000 debt load produces a manageable 0.56 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary. For context, peer programs at CU Boulder and University of Northern Colorado show similar earnings, suggesting these estimates reflect realistic outcomes for Colorado-trained geoscientists rather than wishful thinking.

The challenge here is the limited sample size: so few students graduate from this program that the Department of Education won't publish actual outcomes. That scarcity could signal anything from a small but well-supported cohort to a program struggling to attract majors. With only nine geoscience programs statewide, Adams State serves a genuine niche in southern Colorado, but parents should verify the program still has the faculty depth and industry connections needed for students to land those $46,000 jobs.

The financial picture looks workable if the earnings estimates hold—monthly loan payments would consume about 15% of take-home pay in year one. But before committing, talk directly with current students and recent alumni to confirm job placement rates and typical career paths, especially since the published data can't tell you what's actually happening at this specific campus.