Analysis
Given Alabama's geoscience salaries—Auburn reports $45,588 for first-year graduates—comparable programs in the state suggest Alabama students can expect similar outcomes. This program's estimated $39,678 starting salary is based on national medians, likely understating what graduates actually earn in Alabama's energy and environmental sectors. The four-year figure of $50,535 reflects real progression, though remember this too comes from a small sample that required data suppression.
The estimated $24,757 in debt translates to a 0.62 ratio against first-year earnings, which would be manageable territory for geoscience graduates. However, both the debt and earnings figures come from national peer programs rather than Alabama's specific outcomes. If this program's graduates perform closer to other Alabama geoscience programs—which the state's higher median suggests they might—the value proposition improves considerably.
The real question is whether Alabama's program connects students to the state's stronger-than-national geoscience job market. With only three schools offering this major in Alabama and Auburn showing solid outcomes, the program operates in a less crowded field. If Alabama's graduates access similar industry connections and regional employers, your child could see earnings closer to that $45,588 state benchmark, making the investment considerably better than these conservative national estimates suggest.
Where The University of Alabama Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all geological and earth sciences/geosciences bachelors's programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| The University of Alabama | — | $50,535 | — |
| University of California-Davis | $43,462 | $67,743 | +56% |
| University of Wisconsin-Madison | $43,068 | $67,483 | +57% |
| California State University-Fullerton | $35,509 | $65,717 | +85% |
| Winona State University | $36,984 | $62,770 | +70% |
Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Alabama (3 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa | $11,900 | $39,678* | $50,535 | $24,757* | — |
 Auburn UniversityAuburn | $12,536 | $45,588* | — | $27,000* | 0.59 |
| National Median | — | $39,678* | — | $24,757* | 0.62 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with geological and earth sciences/geosciences graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Clinical Research Coordinators
Water Resource Specialists
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Hydrologists
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
Hydrologic Technicians
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At The University of Alabama, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 103 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.