Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Minnesota-Duluth

Three geoscience programs in Minnesota suggest first-year earnings around $40,371, which would put UMN-Duluth's program right at the state median—a reasonable starting point for graduates in this field. At $27,219, the debt load sits just above both the state median and national average, landing in the 6th percentile nationally (meaning 94% of comparable programs nationwide carry higher debt burdens). This translates to a manageable 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio, where graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary.

The comparison to other Minnesota programs reveals some nuance. UMN-Twin Cities graduates start about $4,500 higher at $44,825, suggesting location and employer connections may matter in the geosciences job market. But UMN-Duluth's advantage lies in its lower debt—students here typically borrow less while still accessing similar career pathways. For a field where many graduates continue to graduate school or start in field technician roles before advancing, keeping undergraduate debt modest matters considerably.

For parents, this looks like a solid if unspectacular investment. The debt won't be crushing, and the estimated earnings align with what similar programs actually produce across the state. If your child is drawn to geosciences and prefers Duluth's setting over the Twin Cities, that $4,500 earnings gap probably isn't worth switching schools over—especially given the lower debt here.