Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Bridgewater State University

Four years out, graduates of this program earn roughly what national peer programs produce immediately after graduation—around $39,000. That stagnation matters when you're trying to pay down $23,250 in debt. Based on comparable geosciences programs nationwide, first-year earnings typically start near $40,000, but Bridgewater's reported fourth-year figure suggests graduates aren't seeing the upward trajectory that makes entry-level uncertainty worthwhile.

The debt load itself sits just below the national median for geosciences degrees, which sounds reasonable until you consider the earnings plateau. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59, graduates are managing payments that consume a meaningful chunk of their income for years. Massachusetts has strong STEM employment sectors, but geosciences is a field where graduate school or specific industry connections often unlock better-paying positions—and this program's outcomes suggest it may not be positioning graduates for either path effectively.

For parents, the question is whether $23,000 in debt makes sense for a career trajectory that appears stuck in the high-$30,000s. If your student is passionate about geology and has clear plans for graduate study or connections in environmental consulting or energy sectors, the foundation might be sufficient. But if this is exploratory or they're hoping the degree alone opens doors, the limited earnings growth suggests they'll be working harder to justify the investment than students at programs where geosciences graduates command higher salaries earlier.