Home Schools Missouri University of Science and Technology Geological Engineering
Engineering · Geological Engineering Rank #1 of 4

Geological Engineeringat Missouri University of Science and Technology

Graduates earn $64,503/yr in their first year — about 1.0% above the national Geological Engineering average. Base-case 10-year earnings $663K; scenarios range from $598K to $681K depending on AI disruption.

Rolla, MO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
62 SOLID
63
Optimistic
60
Pessimistic
Earnings
$64,503
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.9x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$663K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
52% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at Missouri University of Science and Technology

Missouri S&T's Geological/Geophysical Engineering program, one of only a few nationally, offers a highly specialized education rooted in a university renowned for practical engineering. Your training will likely blend rigorous lab work with extensive field experience, a critical advantage for employers in mining, environmental consulting, and infrastructure development. The consistent demand in these sectors, often tied to regional resource extraction or large-scale construction projects, helps explain the program's strong earnings relative to its niche peer group. However, the field's increasing reliance on data modeling and interpretation means roles are evolving, presenting a "high" AI risk. To thrive, focus on developing complementary skills in data analytics and geospatial technologies. Your actionable advice: leverage the program's strong industry connections and seek internships that expose you to cutting-edge tools and real-world problem-solving.

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
$598K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score60/100
Earnings Multiple10.5x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$663K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score62/100
Earnings Multiple11.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$681K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score63/100
Earnings Multiple11.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

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

Career Paths

Where Geological Engineering 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
Architectural and engineering managers
+3.8% 10-yr growth · 14,500 openings/yr
$167,740/yr
Moderate
2
Engineers, all other
+2.1% 10-yr growth · 9,300 openings/yr
$117,750/yr
Moderate
3
Engineering teachers, postsecondary
+8.1% 10-yr growth · 4,100 openings/yr
$106,120/yr
High
4
Mining and geological engineers, including mining safety engineers
+0.7% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$101,020/yr
Moderate
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geological Engineering

How Missouri University of Science and Technology stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Colorado School of Mines
CO · Public
61
DW Score
$69K
1-yr earn
9.0x
ROI
Michigan Technological University
MI · Public
50
DW Score
$64K
1-yr earn
7.7x
ROI
University of Mississippi
MS · Public
55
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
14.7x
ROI
Also at Missouri University of Science and Technology

Other top programs at Missouri University of Science and Technology

Other highest-scoring programs offered at Missouri University of Science and Technology, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Geological Engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology

How does Missouri University of Science and Technology's Geological Engineering program score?

This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geological Engineering graduates.

How vulnerable is Geological Engineering to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Geological Engineering careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 46% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Missouri University of Science and Technology rank so high for Geological Engineering?

The #1 ranking out of 4 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.