Geosciencesat University of California-Riverside
Graduates earn $22,998/yr in their first year — about 42.0% below the national Geosciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $355K; scenarios range from $363K to $338K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC Riverside
The financial outcomes for this program suggest a challenging path that warrants careful consideration. While Southern California offers environmental and engineering opportunities, the regional job market for entry-level geoscience roles, particularly with a bachelor's degree, can be highly competitive and may not offer compensation aligning with the area's cost of living. Many of the higher-earning career paths listed often require an advanced degree, like a master's, for specialized roles in environmental consulting, water management, or urban planning agencies.
Furthermore, the field faces significant AI risk, as many data analysis, modeling, and mapping tasks are increasingly automated, potentially impacting early-career positions. To succeed, you'll need to strategically differentiate yourself. Consider pursuing internships early and aggressively, networking with local firms, and seriously evaluating whether an immediate master's degree is a necessary step to unlock the more lucrative and resilient career opportunities in this evolving field.
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.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC Riverside's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
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.
Peer schools offering Geosciences
How UC Riverside stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC Riverside
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC Riverside, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Geosciences at UC Riverside
How does University of California-Riverside's Geosciences program score?
This program scores 19/100 — on the lower end for Geosciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Geosciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' 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.
Why are Geosciences earnings lower at University of California-Riverside?
Lower starting pay at University of California-Riverside may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.