Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Cal Poly Pomona's geology program places graduates nearly $10,000 ahead of the national median at $49,406—impressive 95th percentile performance that puts it among the strongest programs nationwide. However, the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these results could shift significantly year to year, and the 60th percentile ranking among California programs suggests this outcome isn't necessarily exceptional for the state's competitive geology market.

The debt picture looks reasonable at first glance: $19,375 is below both national and state medians, creating a manageable 0.39 debt-to-earnings ratio. That's a solid foundation, especially for a field where many graduates pursue advanced degrees. Cal Poly Pomona serves a high proportion of Pell-eligible students (46%), and keeping debt this modest while achieving strong earnings is noteworthy. The program sits just behind Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Davis among the state's top geology programs—good company to keep.

The caveat here is significant: with such a small cohort, you're looking at earnings data that might reflect a few exceptional graduates rather than typical outcomes. If your student is certain about geology and values hands-on learning at a more accessible institution, this program delivers results. But given the sample size volatility, they should connect with recent alumni directly to understand typical career paths—don't rely solely on these numbers, however encouraging they appear.