Home › University of Kansas › Geosciences

Geosciences at University of Kansas

Lawrence, KS · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
40
Pessimistic
Earnings $41,626/yr (4% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (4.1x out-of-state)
Ranked #71 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 $482K $483K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 10.3x 10.3x 9.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.1x 4.1x 3.9x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 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)
$46,800
Out-of-state: $117,648 (4.1x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$69,460
-48% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$26,469
7.6 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $41,626/yr, roughly in line with the $39,933 national median for Geosciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.

The 10.3x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 47% task exposure — and the 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $26,469 debt-to-$41,626 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #71 out of 103 programs, University of Kansas's financial outcomes for Geosciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Kansas

University of Kansas accepts 88% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, serving 19,857 students in Lawrence, KS.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Kansas →

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 Kansas

Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($81,330) Architectural Engineering ($76,353) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($71,244) Mechanical Engineering ($70,726) Civil Engineering ($68,486) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($67,565) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($65,347) Chemical Engineering ($63,870)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Kansas's Geosciences program score?
This program scores 38/100 — 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 →