Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of California-Los Angeles

UCLA's geosciences program lacks published earnings data due to small sample sizes, but comparable California programs suggest first-year earnings around $40,000—right at the state median but well below what Cal Poly SLO ($48,489) and UC Davis ($43,462) graduates report. That's a meaningful gap given UCLA's 9% admission rate and national prestige. The estimated $17,900 in debt is manageable, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.45 that's considerably better than the national median debt of nearly $25,000 for this field.

The caveat here is significant: without actual outcome data for UCLA's program specifically, parents can't know whether its graduates track closer to top-performing California programs or the state average. Geosciences careers often require graduate degrees for higher-paying positions, which means these bachelor's-level earnings may represent an interim step rather than the endpoint. If your student plans to stop at a bachelor's degree, the comparison to Cal Poly programs—which emphasize applied geology and industry connections—becomes especially relevant.

Given UCLA's academic reputation, the modest estimated debt load is the real asset here. But proceed knowing you're making assumptions based on peer programs rather than this school's track record. If geosciences is the goal, check whether UCLA provides the research opportunities and industry connections that justify choosing it over programs with stronger documented outcomes.