Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Minnesota State University Moorhead

Comparable geosciences programs in Minnesota suggest a debt load of $27,000 against first-year earnings around $40,000—a ratio that's manageable but tighter than what many STEM fields deliver. The field's starting salaries cluster fairly narrowly, with Minnesota's median matching the national benchmark almost exactly at roughly $40,000. That consistency suggests geosciences careers follow predictable entry paths, whether graduates land in environmental consulting, mining, or government agencies.

The estimated figures here align with what peer programs report, but Minnesota State Moorhead lacks the scale of University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, where actual outcomes show graduates earning $44,825 in year one. That $4,000 gap matters when you're carrying similar debt—it affects how quickly your child can pay down loans and build savings. The geosciences job market in Minnesota isn't expansive, concentrated mainly around the Twin Cities metro and Iron Range mining operations, which means location flexibility after graduation becomes important.

For families weighing this program, the debt-to-earnings estimate suggests reasonable repayment prospects if your child secures typical employment in the field. The unknown is whether Minnesota State Moorhead's smaller program provides sufficient industry connections and internship pipelines to compete with larger state schools. Before committing, look into the program's placement track record and whether graduates are actually landing those $40,000+ positions or struggling to break into the field.