Geosciences at University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
34
Optimistic
33
Base Case
38
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)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to 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)
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,250
7.3 months of Year 1 earnings
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
Compare & Explore
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geosciences at University of South Carolina-Columbia?
A score of 33/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Geosciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace 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 →