Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at The University of Texas at El Paso

UTEP's geosciences program lands right at the state median when it comes to estimated outcomes—comparable programs in Texas typically produce first-year earnings around $44,000 with roughly $23,000 in debt. That 0.52 debt-to-earnings ratio falls within a manageable range for STEM fields, though it's worth noting this program serves a predominantly working-class student body (61% receive Pell grants), where every dollar of debt matters more.

The challenge here is uncertainty. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from peer programs rather than UTEP's actual graduate outcomes, parents are essentially betting that this program performs similarly to other Texas geosciences programs. The state's top-performing programs—Texas Tech and University of Houston-Downtown—show first-year earnings reaching $50,000, suggesting that where you study geology in Texas can make a real difference. UTEP's open-admission policy and lower average test scores raise questions about whether its outcomes match those of more selective state programs.

For families considering this investment, the deciding factors should be geographic: Does your child want to work in the El Paso region where UTEP has established connections? Can they graduate without significantly exceeding that $23,000 debt estimate? If the answer to both is yes, this looks reasonable. If they're planning to compete statewide for geology positions, programs with proven track records closer to $50,000 in starting pay deserve serious consideration, even if they require relocation.