Home › University of Houston-Downtown › Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Houston-Downtown

Houston, TX · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $50,894/yr (27% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)

ROI 17.7x earnings multiple (7.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #11 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs Top 25%

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	$554K	$547K	$510K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	18.0x	17.7x	16.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.8x	7.7x	7.2x
Probability of Field Employment	68%	60%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	52	51	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,832

Out-of-state: $71,152 (7.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,492

-90% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,529

4.4 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $50,894 per year, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates from University of Houston-Downtown significantly outpace the $39,933 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

With a 17.7x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 8% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

The median debt load of $18,529 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

University of Houston-Downtown ranks #11 among 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

About University of Houston-Downtown

With 91% of applicants admitted, University of Houston-Downtown prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 12,812 in Houston, TX. With 52% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Houston-Downtown →

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

Other Majors at University of Houston-Downtown

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Houston-Downtown?

At 51/100, University of Houston-Downtown's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Houston-Downtown?

The 47% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of Houston-Downtown one of the best schools for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences?

Among 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs, University of Houston-Downtown's #11 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →