Geosciences at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,509/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 28.7x earnings multiple (10.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs Top 25%

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 $853K $813K $715K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 30.2x 28.7x 25.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.3x 10.7x 9.4x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (10.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$22,584
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,625
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,103
123% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,509/yr, Geosciences graduates from California State University-Fullerton land near the $39,933 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 28.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Geosciences programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Geosciences's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 16% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #16 of 103 nationally, this is a top-5% Geosciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $79,103 show a 123% jump from the $35,509 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Fullerton

With 87% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fullerton prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 36,956 students in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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

Geosciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Fullerton

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geosciences at California State University-Fullerton?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Geosciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Geosciences careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $715,060 in decade earnings vs $853,124 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Fullerton's Geosciences program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 103 programs nationally, California State University-Fullerton lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →