Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Florida International University

Similar geosciences programs in Florida suggest this degree may deliver modest but manageable financial outcomes. At an estimated $24,757 in debt—equal to the state median for these programs—graduates would face monthly loan payments around $275, which appears serviceable against estimated first-year earnings of $40,691. That 0.61 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within a reasonable range, though it's worth noting that geosciences careers often require graduate study for advancement, potentially adding to the total debt picture.

The estimated earnings align almost exactly with both Florida and national medians for bachelor's-level geosciences programs, suggesting FIU likely produces competitive outcomes despite serving a high proportion of Pell-eligible students. However, the top-performing Florida program—University of South Florida—shows significantly higher earnings at $48,565, indicating that program choice within the state matters. The small number of programs reporting data in Florida (just 3 out of 10 schools) makes it harder to gauge where FIU truly stands, but the available evidence suggests middle-of-the-pack performance.

For families considering this path: the estimated debt load won't be crushing if your student secures typical geosciences employment, but research what FIU's specific program emphasizes—petroleum geology, environmental consulting, and GIS skills tend to produce better immediate career prospects than programs focused purely on research preparation. Given the data limitations, connecting with FIU's career services to understand actual graduate outcomes would be particularly valuable here.