Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Montclair State University

Montclair, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree
39 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
40
Optimistic
39
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,985/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 8.5x earnings multiple (5.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #68 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 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption
Base Case
Gradual AI
Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $501K $500K $474K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 8.5x 8.5x 8.0x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.2x 5.2x 4.9x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 40 39 40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$59,064
Out-of-state: $96,504 (5.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$56,636
4% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$21,750
5.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $43,985 at Montclair State University come in 10% above the national median of $39,933 for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs.

At 8.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

With first-year pay of $43,985 far exceeding the $21,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #68 out of 103 programs, Montclair State University's financial outcomes for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About Montclair State University

Montclair State University accepts 87% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 17,677 students in Montclair, NJ. With 44% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at Montclair State University →

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

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Montclair State University's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program score?
This program scores 39/100 — on the lower end for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Geological and Earth Sciences/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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →