Location: Riverside, CA•In-State Tuition: $14,170•Out-of-State Tuition: $44,947•Admission Rate: 63%
Median Earnings (1yr)
$22,998
5th percentile
10th percentile in California
Est. Median Debt
$17,896
Est. from CA median (10 programs)
Sample: 22 graduates Limited data

Where University of California-Riverside Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all geological and earth sciences/geosciences bachelors's programs nationally

University of California-Riverside (estimated ±10%)Other geological and earth sciences/geosciences programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How University of California-Riverside graduates compare to all programs nationally

University of California-Riverside earns $23k — 5th percentile among geological and earth sciences/geosciences bachelors programs.

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences bachelors's programs at peer institutions in California (40 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median Debt*Debt/Earnings
University of California-RiversideRiverside$14,170$22,998—$17,896*—
California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona$7,439$49,406—$19,375*0.39
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis ObispoSan Luis Obispo$11,075$48,489—$15,000*0.31
University of California-DavisDavis$15,247$43,462$67,743$16,416*0.38
University of California-Santa CruzSanta Cruz$14,560$43,362$56,645$20,833*0.48
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego$8,290$41,351—$21,500*0.52
National Median—$39,678—$24,757*0.62
* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with geological and earth sciences/geosciences graduates

Natural Sciences Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Clinical Research Coordinators

Plan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Water Resource Specialists

Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.

$161,180/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers

Study the composition, structure, and other physical aspects of the Earth. May use geological, physics, and mathematics knowledge in exploration for oil, gas, minerals, or underground water; or in waste disposal, land reclamation, or other environmental problems. May study the Earth's internal composition, atmospheres, and oceans, and its magnetic, electrical, and gravitational forces. Includes mineralogists, paleontologists, stratigraphers, geodesists, and seismologists.

$99,240/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Hydrologists

Research the distribution, circulation, and physical properties of underground and surface waters; and study the form and intensity of precipitation and its rate of infiltration into the soil, movement through the earth, and return to the ocean and atmosphere.

$92,060/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in the physical sciences, except chemistry and physics. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians

Assist scientists or engineers in the use of electronic, sonic, or nuclear measuring instruments in laboratory, exploration, and production activities to obtain data indicating resources such as metallic ore, minerals, gas, coal, or petroleum. Analyze mud and drill cuttings. Chart pressure, temperature, and other characteristics of wells or bore holes.

$50,510/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree

Hydrologic Technicians

Collect and organize data concerning the distribution and circulation of ground and surface water, and data on its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Measure and report on flow rates and ground water levels, maintain field equipment, collect water samples, install and collect sampling equipment, and process samples for shipment to testing laboratories. May collect data on behalf of hydrologists, engineers, developers, government agencies, or agriculture.

$50,510/yrJobs growth:Associate's degree
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 University of California-Riverside, approximately 47% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 22 graduates with reported earnings and 16 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.