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Geosciences at University of South Florida

Tampa, FL · Public · Bachelor's Degree · Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences

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

Optimistic

Base Case

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 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, 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 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

Geosciences at Other Schools

Other Majors at University of South Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of South Florida's Geosciences program score?

This program scores 58/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geosciences graduates.

How vulnerable is Geosciences to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' 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 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 →