Home › University of South Florida › Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
58 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
59
Optimistic
58
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $48,565/yr (22% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 22.7x earnings multiple (8.4x out-of-state)
Ranked #2 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs Top 5%

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 $593K $582K $537K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 23.1x 22.7x 20.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.6x 8.4x 7.8x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 59 58 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$25,640
Out-of-state: $69,296 (8.4x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,172
-57% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,405
6.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$61,397
26% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $48,565 per year, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates from University of South Florida earn slightly above the $39,933 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 22.7x 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 9% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,405 debt-to-$48,565 income ratio translates to about 6 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #2 out of 103 programs, University of South Florida's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $48,565 to $61,397 shows 26% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of South Florida

University of South Florida accepts 41% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 36,299 students enrolled in Tampa, FL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Florida →

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

Compare this program → View all 103 schools offering Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences →

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Other Schools

University of Houston-Downtown ($50,894) Kean University ($50,645) Iowa State University ($50,150) College of Charleston ($49,786) Texas Tech University ($49,727) University of Utah ($49,446) California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ($49,406) California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ($48,489)

Other Majors at University of South Florida

Computer Engineering ($83,660) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($78,825) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($72,879) Chemical Engineering ($70,659) Civil Engineering ($70,047) Mechanical Engineering ($70,046) Industrial Engineering ($69,672) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($61,046)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of South Florida's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program score?
This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.
How vulnerable is Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 47% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why does University of South Florida rank so high for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences?
The #2 ranking out of 103 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →