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Geosciences at University of Colorado Boulder

Boulder, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
47 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
48
Optimistic
47
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $46,263/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 9.0x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #29 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs Top 50%

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 $602K $590K $544K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.2x 9.0x 8.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.6x 3.5x 3.2x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 48 47 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$65,720
Out-of-state: $167,772 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$85,920
-31% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
5.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,825
34% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,263/yr, edging above the $39,933 national average for Geosciences — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

At 9.0x 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 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $19,500 in median debt against $46,263 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

Ranked #29 out of 103 programs, University of Colorado Boulder's Geosciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $46,263 to $61,825 shows 34% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder has a 83% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 31,578 in Boulder, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Boulder →

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

Compare this program → View all 103 schools offering Geosciences →

Geosciences at Other Schools

University of Houston-Downtown ($50,894) Kean University ($50,645) Iowa State University ($50,150) College of Charleston ($49,786) Texas Tech University ($49,727) University of Utah ($49,446) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($49,406) University of South Florida ($48,565)

Other Majors at University of Colorado Boulder

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($88,957) Computer Engineering ($86,211) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($81,835) Computer Science ($77,385) Civil Engineering ($73,033) Architectural Engineering ($72,567) Biochemical Engineering ($70,668) Chemical Engineering ($70,359)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Colorado Boulder's Geosciences program score?
This program scores 47/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →