Home Schools University of Northern Colorado Geosciences
Physical Sciences · Geosciences Rank #45 of 103

Geosciencesat University of Northern Colorado

Graduates earn $46,954/yr in their first year — about 18.0% above the national Geosciences average. Base-case 10-year earnings $520K; scenarios range from $490K to $524K depending on AI disruption.

Greeley, CO Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
43 AVERAGE
44
Optimistic
42
Pessimistic
Earnings
$46,954
1-year post-graduation
ROI
8.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$520K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
50% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Northern Colorado

First-year earnings of $46,954 at University of Northern Colorado come in 18% above the national median of $39,933 for Geosciences programs.

With a 10.8x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 6% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Geosciences career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $24,121 against $46,954/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #45 ranking among 103 Geosciences programs places University of Northern Colorado in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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
$490K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score42/100
Earnings Multiple10.2x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$520K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score43/100
Earnings Multiple10.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$524K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score44/100
Earnings Multiple10.9x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Northern Colorado'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 Northern Colorado 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 Northern Colorado

Other top programs at University of Northern Colorado

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Northern Colorado, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.

FAQ

Frequently asked about Geosciences at University of Northern Colorado

What does a 43/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geosciences at University of Northern Colorado?

At 43/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Geosciences programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Geosciences at University of Northern Colorado?

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.