Geosciencesat University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
Graduates earn $45,974/yr in their first year — about 15.0% above the national Geosciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $543K; scenarios range from $507K to $550K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Michigan
Your degree from a top-tier institution like the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor signals a strong foundation, which is a significant advantage in the competitive geoscience landscape. The program's rigor and research opportunities prepare you for diverse roles, from environmental consulting firms working on Great Lakes conservation to government agencies like the USGS or state DNR, and even the expanding energy sector, including renewables. UMich's strong alumni network and career services also open doors to established recruiting pipelines that value this institution's graduates. While the field requires robust analytical skills, the evolving landscape, with its high AI risk, means you'll need to cultivate advanced data interpretation, complex problem-solving, and interdisciplinary communication. To truly stand out and future-proof your career, focus on mastering specialized software, developing strong project management abilities, and seeking internships that offer hands-on experience in these areas.
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 University of Michigan'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 University of Michigan stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Michigan
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Michigan, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Frequently asked about Geosciences at University of Michigan
How does University of Michigan-Ann Arbor's Geosciences program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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.