Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Northern Iowa

Based on comparable geology programs nationwide, this degree would leave graduates with roughly $25,000 in debt—a manageable figure at 62% of first-year earnings. The real question is whether University of Northern Iowa's program will match the stronger outcomes seen elsewhere in Iowa, where geology graduates typically earn $50,150, about $10,000 more than the national baseline used here.

The four-year earnings figure of $47,014 offers a hint that UNI's program may track closer to Iowa's stronger market, though it still lags behind Iowa State's outcomes. This gap matters: geology careers often require specialized equipment, field work experience, and industry connections that larger research universities can provide more readily. With a 94% admission rate and modest test scores, UNI serves a different student population than Iowa State, which could explain some earnings differences—but it also raises questions about whether the program has the resources and networks to compete.

For families, the debt level itself isn't alarming, but the uncertainty around actual outcomes at this specific school is. If your student is considering UNI for geology, push for concrete information: Where do graduates get hired? What companies recruit on campus? How many go on to graduate school versus entering the workforce? These answers matter more than estimated national figures when you're trying to gauge whether this particular program can deliver on Iowa's geology market potential.