Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez

Based on comparable programs nationwide, a geosciences bachelor's typically starts with earnings around $40,000—modest but workable against an estimated $24,757 in debt. That 0.62 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates could manage repayment in roughly three years of dedicated payments, assuming stable employment. For a program serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (65% at UPR-Mayaguez), this represents a financially navigable path into technical work.

The challenge lies in Puerto Rico's limited job market for geoscientists. With only one program on the island, there's minimal local competition for graduates, but also fewer employment opportunities compared to states with robust energy, mining, or environmental sectors. Many geoscience graduates from Puerto Rico likely need to relocate to the mainland for career advancement, which adds hidden costs to the calculation. Similar programs nationally show wide variation—the 75th percentile reaches $43,688—suggesting that location and sector matter enormously for entry-level pay.

The real question is whether your child plans to stay in Puerto Rico or seek opportunities elsewhere. If mainland relocation is part of the plan, these estimates suggest a reasonable financial foundation. If staying local is the priority, understand that peer program data may not reflect Puerto Rico's specific employment landscape, making the path less predictable than these numbers imply.