Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Houston-Downtown

University of Houston-Downtown's geosciences graduates earn $50,894 their first year out—$7,000 more than the Texas median and nearly $11,000 above the national median for this degree. That's unusual performance for a program at an open-access institution serving primarily first-generation and low-income students. The program outpaces even flagship UT Austin and matches the earnings at much more selective Texas Tech. Though the sample size is small (under 30 graduates, so individual outcomes carry more weight), this suggests strong placement in Houston's energy corridor, where geoscience skills command premiums.

The debt picture is reasonable at $20,250—about $2,500 below both state and national medians for geoscience programs. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.40, graduates carry less than five months' salary in loans, which most financial advisors would consider manageable. For families focused on maximizing return on investment, this combination of below-average debt and above-average earnings creates one of the better value propositions you'll find in Texas geosciences.

The caution here is the small cohort size, which means these numbers could shift significantly year-to-year. But for a student interested in geology who needs an affordable, accessible option in the Houston area, this program deserves serious consideration. The energy industry concentration in Houston likely explains the strong outcomes—just verify that current placement patterns remain consistent.