Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

This geosciences program starts slow but accelerates impressively, with earnings jumping 34% from $38,652 to $51,805 between years one and four. That trajectory matters more than the middling starting salary—graduates who stick with geology careers appear to reach solid mid-career earnings. Among Pennsylvania's 30 geosciences programs, this ranks at the median for starting pay but stands out for keeping debt manageable at $26,000, below both state and national norms. The 0.67 debt-to-earnings ratio means graduates enter the workforce with roughly eight months of their first-year salary in loans—a reasonable burden that becomes more comfortable as earnings grow.

The concerning piece is that 38th percentile national ranking, which suggests graduates here lag behind peers at more competitive geology programs. However, context matters: Pitt-Johnstown serves a more regional student body (29% on Pell grants, 96% admission rate), and many geology careers start with fieldwork or junior positions before advancing to better-paying roles in environmental consulting, energy, or government. The strong year-four numbers suggest those career progressions are happening.

For families weighing the investment, this program won't deliver the immediate payoff of engineering or nursing. But if your student is genuinely interested in the earth sciences and willing to build a career methodically, the combination of controlled debt and solid growth potential makes this a workable choice—just recognize it's a slower build than flashier STEM fields.