Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of West Georgia

The small sample size here makes definitive conclusions risky, but the earnings trajectory tells an intriguing story. Starting at just $33,344—well below both the national and Georgia medians—graduates see a remarkable 77% jump by year four, reaching $59,072. That's substantially higher than what most geoscience programs deliver nationally ($39,678). Among Georgia's nine geoscience programs, this ranks at the 40th percentile initially, meaning it's middle-of-the-pack in-state but catches up fast.

The $25,500 debt load is reasonable and actually slightly below the state median. With a 0.76 debt-to-earnings ratio in year one, graduates face a tight first year financially, but the four-year outlook changes the calculation considerably. The question is whether that first year represents entry-level field positions that naturally progress to higher-paying roles, or if we're seeing survivor bias in a small sample where only the successful remain in the field.

For a parent evaluating this program, the key issue is confidence in that earnings growth. If your student can weather a modest first year and is genuinely committed to geoscience work—not just trying it out—the four-year numbers suggest solid returns. But with fewer than 30 graduates in this data, you're betting on a pattern that might not hold. The debt is manageable enough that even if earnings don't follow this trajectory, it won't be crushing.