Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Indiana University-Indianapolis

Based on peer programs nationally, geosciences graduates typically start around $40,000—modest by STEM standards but not alarming. What's more concerning is that Indiana University-Indianapolis students would likely carry debt 55% higher than the state median for this field. While the state benchmark sits at $16,000, comparable programs at schools like IU-Indianapolis suggest debt closer to $25,000. That's a significant gap when first-year earnings barely exceed the mid-$30,000s.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 isn't catastrophic, but it does mean your child would be devoting a meaningful chunk of early-career income to loan payments. Purdue's geosciences program shows similar starting salaries in Indiana, suggesting the field itself—not the school—drives these modest outcomes. With an 81% admission rate and substantial Pell grant population, IU-Indianapolis serves a different student profile than flagship research universities, but the financial fundamentals remain tight.

For a family weighing this investment, the key question is whether geosciences is the goal or just one option. If your child is passionate about this field and the Indianapolis location matters, the numbers are manageable but not generous. If they're exploring STEM broadly, other technical degrees typically offer better starting salaries with similar or lower debt loads. The smaller program size here (hence the suppressed data) might mean closer faculty relationships, but it also means fewer on-campus recruiting pipelines.