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Physical Sciences · Geosciences Rank #3 of 103

Geosciencesat East Carolina University

Graduates earn $44,961/yr in their first year — about 13.0% above the national Geosciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $597K; scenarios range from $549K to $610K depending on AI disruption.

Greenville, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
56 SOLID
57
Optimistic
56
Pessimistic
Earnings
$44,961
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.1x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$597K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at East Carolina University

East Carolina's Geosciences program consistently stands out, reflecting the robust demand for skilled earth scientists across North Carolina and the Southeast. Your strong outcomes are likely driven by the regional economy's need for environmental consultants, engineering firms supporting coastal development and infrastructure, and state agencies focused on water resources and land management. You'll find graduates working on critical projects addressing shoreline erosion, groundwater contamination, and site assessments for construction, often with employers like the NC Department of Environmental Quality or major engineering consultancies. While certain data analysis aspects of the field face increasing AI integration, your ability to conduct essential fieldwork, interpret complex geological systems, and communicate findings remains invaluable. To truly maximize your trajectory, actively pursue internships with local and regional environmental or engineering firms during your studies to build practical experience and professional networks.

AI Outlook Integration

Three scenarios, ten years out

Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$549K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple18.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$597K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score56/100
Earnings Multiple20.3x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$610K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score57/100
Earnings Multiple20.7x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to East Carolina University's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Geosciences graduates typically work

Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
+2.6% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$101,390/yr
Moderate
3
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
+3.2% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$99,240/yr
Moderate
4
Hydrologists
-0.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$92,060/yr
High
5
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$86,220/yr
Moderate
6
Hydrologic technicians
-2.1% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$58,570/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geosciences

How East Carolina University stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Iowa State University
IA · Public
51
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
12.0x
ROI
College of Charleston
SC · Public
51
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
10.5x
ROI
University of South Florida
FL · Public
58
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
22.9x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
44
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
7.1x
ROI
Top score
University of Wyoming
WY · Public
59
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
24.6x
ROI
Also at East Carolina University

Other top programs at East Carolina University

Other highest-scoring programs offered at East Carolina University, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Geosciences at East Carolina University

What does a 56/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geosciences at East Carolina University?

At 56/100, East Carolina University's Geosciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Geosciences at East Carolina University?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is East Carolina University one of the best schools for Geosciences?

Among 103 Geosciences programs, East Carolina University's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.