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Geosciences at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,476/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 16.7x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Geosciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $533K $528K $496K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.8x 16.7x 15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,668
-66% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,940
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,634
65% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,476/yr fall 26% below the $39,933 national median for Geosciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 16.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,940 debt-to-$29,476 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #93 out of 103 programs, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's financial outcomes for Geosciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,476 to $48,634 over five years (65% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

Top Career Paths

Natural sciences managers $161,180/yr
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary $101,390/yr
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers $99,240/yr
View all 7 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Compare this program → View all 103 schools offering Geosciences →

Geosciences at Other Schools

University of Houston-Downtown ($50,894) Kean University ($50,645) Iowa State University ($50,150) College of Charleston ($49,786) Texas Tech University ($49,727) University of Utah ($49,446) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($49,406) University of South Florida ($48,565)

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($55,589) Forestry ($52,810) Plant Sciences ($44,038) Computer Science ($37,153) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($36,586) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($36,444) Political Science and Government ($36,079) Social Work ($35,693)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's Geosciences program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Geosciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Geosciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Geosciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Geosciences earnings lower at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Lower starting pay at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →