Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at San Francisco State University

Similar geology programs across California typically produce first-year earnings around $40,000, which places these graduates right at both state and national medians for the field. With estimated debt of $17,896—substantially lower than the $24,757 national figure—the financial foundation appears manageable. The 0.45 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would dedicate less than half their first-year salary to debt, a reasonable starting point for a science degree.

However, context matters here. The top geology programs in California—Cal Poly SLO, Pomona, and the UC campuses—show reported earnings in the $43,000-$49,000 range, creating a $3,000-$9,000 gap compared to what peer programs at SF State's level typically achieve. That difference compounds over time, though the lower estimated debt partially offsets it. For families where SF State's 96% admission rate and strong Pell enrollment (41%) signal accessibility, this trade-off may work.

The real question is career trajectory. Geology careers often require graduate work for advancement, and starting salaries don't tell the full story. If your student plans to pursue environmental consulting, natural resources, or further education, these estimated numbers represent a foundation rather than a ceiling. Just recognize you're working with assumptions based on comparable programs—not actual SF State geology outcomes—and that higher-ranked California programs appear to deliver measurably stronger initial results.