Home Schools University of Houston-Downtown Geosciences
Physical Sciences · Geosciences Rank #11 of 103

Geosciencesat University of Houston-Downtown

Graduates earn $50,894/yr in their first year — about 27.0% above the national Geosciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $547K; scenarios range from $510K to $554K depending on AI disruption.

Houston, TX Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
52
Optimistic
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$50,894
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$547K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Houston-Downtown

At $50,894 per year, 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 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 Geosciences programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$510K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple16.6x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$547K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple17.7x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$554K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score52/100
Earnings Multiple18.0x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Houston-Downtown's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Geosciences graduates typically work

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.

1
Natural sciences managers
+3.7% 10-yr growth · 8,500 openings/yr
$161,180/yr
High
2
Atmospheric, earth, marine, and space sciences teachers, postsecondary
+2.6% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$101,390/yr
Moderate
3
Geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers
+3.2% 10-yr growth · 2,000 openings/yr
$99,240/yr
Moderate
4
Hydrologists
-0.1% 10-yr growth · 500 openings/yr
$92,060/yr
High
5
Chemistry teachers, postsecondary
+2.2% 10-yr growth · 1,900 openings/yr
$86,220/yr
Moderate
6
Hydrologic technicians
-2.1% 10-yr growth · 400 openings/yr
$58,570/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geosciences

How University of Houston-Downtown stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Iowa State University
IA · Public
51
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
12.0x
ROI
College of Charleston
SC · Public
51
DW Score
$50K
1-yr earn
10.5x
ROI
University of South Florida
FL · Public
58
DW Score
$49K
1-yr earn
22.9x
ROI
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
MI · Public
44
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
7.1x
ROI
Top score
University of Wyoming
WY · Public
59
DW Score
$46K
1-yr earn
24.6x
ROI
Also at University of Houston-Downtown

Other top programs at University of Houston-Downtown

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Houston-Downtown, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Geosciences at University of Houston-Downtown

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

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

Should I worry about AI if I study 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 Geosciences?

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