Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Mississippi

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.62 puts this program in workable territory—based on comparable geosciences programs nationally, graduates might carry $24,757 in debt against first-year earnings around $39,678. That's roughly half a year's salary, which means the debt could be manageable under a standard repayment plan, though it won't feel easy. What complicates the picture here is that Mississippi State, the only in-state program with reported outcomes, shows slightly higher earnings at $42,298, suggesting Ole Miss graduates might be at a modest disadvantage within the state geology job market.

The national context offers little reassurance. Geosciences salaries cluster tightly—the 75th percentile nationally sits at just $43,688, meaning even the stronger programs rarely push significantly higher. This field doesn't reward credentials with dramatic salary jumps the way engineering or computer science might. For a student genuinely passionate about geology, these estimated figures suggest the degree won't be financially devastating, but it won't create abundant margin for error either.

If your child is choosing between Ole Miss and Mississippi State for geosciences, the earnings gap (albeit small and estimated versus actual) might matter over a career. If they're comparing geology to other STEM fields entirely, they should understand this is a lower-paying science track where passion needs to outweigh pure financial optimization.