Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Utah

The University of Utah's geosciences program produces first-year earnings of $49,446—dramatically higher than the national median of $39,678 for this degree and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. While the debt figure of roughly $25,000 is estimated from peer institutions rather than this school's actual graduates, that ratio of 0.50 suggests manageable repayment regardless. Geoscience degrees from comparable programs typically carry similar debt loads nationwide, and Utah's geology sector appears particularly robust for recent graduates.

What makes this program stand out is its proximity to one of the nation's most active regions for natural resource extraction, environmental consulting, and federal land management—industries that clearly value local talent. At 60th percentile within Utah, these earnings show the state sets a high bar for geoscience graduates, yet U of Utah still competes effectively. The program outpaces Weber State's reported $47,998, despite Weber being a strong regional option.

The practical math works: even with the estimated debt, graduates would face annual loan payments around $2,700 on a standard plan—about 5.5% of that first-year salary. For a field where many positions require graduate work, starting with minimal undergraduate debt while accessing Utah's geology job market positions graduates well whether they enter the workforce immediately or continue their education. This looks like solid value for a geoscience degree, though confirm actual aid packages since debt estimates can vary by individual circumstances.