Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Arizona

The University of Arizona's geoscience program shows a moderate start but strong earnings trajectory that compensates for its below-average initial placement. With first-year earnings of $38,617, graduates begin slightly below both the national and Arizona medians for this major. However, the 49% earnings jump to $57,705 by year four suggests graduates are finding their footing in career paths that value experience—whether that's field geology, environmental consulting, or resource extraction.

The manageable $26,000 debt load is the program's clearest strength. At just 67% of first-year earnings, it's lower than typical geoscience programs both nationally and in-state, creating financial breathing room during those early-career years when pay is lowest. Northern Arizona's geoscience graduates earn about $4,000 more initially, but with only two programs statewide, location and fit matter considerably.

The major caveat: these figures come from a small sample of fewer than 30 graduates, which means one or two outlier careers could be skewing the averages significantly. That said, the combination of reasonable debt and strong mid-career growth suggests this program prepares students adequately for Arizona's geology and environmental sectors. If your child is genuinely interested in the earth sciences and plans to stay in the field through those early years, the long-term trajectory looks solid despite the slow start.