Geosciences at Rutgers University-Newark

Newark, NJ · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
41 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
42
Optimistic
41
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $47,045/yr (18% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 7.8x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #56 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 $524K $521K $490K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.9x 7.8x 7.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.7x 3.7x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 42 41 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)
$66,344
Out-of-state: $141,392 (3.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$77,628
-17% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,068
6.1 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Rutgers University-Newark's Geosciences graduates start at $47,045/yr — above the $39,933 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The earnings-to-cost ratio of 7.8x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

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 7% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,068 represents roughly 6 months of the $47,045 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #56 of 103 Geosciences programs, Rutgers University-Newark falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About Rutgers University-Newark

A 79% acceptance rate means Rutgers University-Newark is accessible to most applicants, enrolling 7,187 students in Newark, NJ. 56% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at Rutgers University-Newark →

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geosciences at Rutgers University-Newark?
A score of 41/100 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 $490,061 in decade earnings vs $524,206 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →