Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus

A debt load around $19,500 paired with estimated first-year earnings of $38,600—based on 11 geosciences programs across Ohio—suggests a manageable financial start. That 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio is well below the 1.0 threshold that typically signals trouble, meaning graduates from comparable programs can realistically tackle their loans while building careers in fields like environmental consulting, resource management, or oil and gas.

The estimates here track closely with both state and national medians for geosciences bachelor's programs, where first-year earnings hover around $38,600-$39,600. Ohio's top programs at Ohio State and Kent State report earnings only slightly higher—$41,000 to $40,000—indicating that peer institutions across the state produce relatively similar early outcomes. The gap between BGSU's estimated figures and these benchmarks is modest, not dramatic.

The real question is trajectory. Geosciences careers often require graduate work or fieldwork experience to reach higher earning potential, so that $38,600 starting point matters less than whether graduates can afford to pursue advanced degrees or entry-level positions that lead somewhere. With debt below $20,000, that path remains open—unlike programs where six-figure loans force immediate high earnings. For families comfortable with estimates rather than school-specific track records, this looks like a viable foundation.