Program Analysis
Graduates earn $37,717/yr, roughly in line with the $39,933 national median for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 19.2x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $22,980 debt-to-$37,717 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
Ranked #40 out of 103 programs, University of North Carolina at Charlotte's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $37,717 to $54,869 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.