Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $36,984 track close to the $39,933 national median for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs nationally.
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 12% gap from the optimistic case.
Median debt of $26,500 represents roughly 9 months of the $36,984 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.
At #39 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs, Winona State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Five-year earnings of $66,073 show a 79% jump from the $36,984 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.