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Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,432/yr (-4% vs median)

AI Risk High (47% exposed)

Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)

ROI 9.1x earnings multiple (3.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #89 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 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$458K	$461K	$444K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	9.0x	9.1x	8.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.3x	3.3x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	68%	60%	46%
DegreeOutlook Score	34	33	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,752

Out-of-state: $139,736 (3.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$23,250

7.3 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $38,432/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 earnings-to-cost ratio of 9.1x signals a solid financial return — projected decade earnings comfortably exceed the tuition investment.

Some AI exposure exists in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences's typical career paths, with 47% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 3% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $23,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $38,432 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

Ranked #89 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

A 61% admission rate makes University of South Carolina-Columbia accessible to a wide range of qualified students, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-Columbia →

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

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.

Will AI replace Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences careers?

With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $444,431 in decade earnings vs $457,502 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →