Program Analysis
Graduates earn $38,432/yr, roughly in line with the $39,933 national median for 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 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 Geosciences programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.