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Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Arcata, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
31 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
32
Optimistic
31
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $29,476/yr (-26% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 16.7x earnings multiple (6.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #93 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs

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 $533K $528K $496K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 16.8x 16.7x 15.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.7x 6.7x 6.3x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 32 31 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$31,652
Out-of-state: $79,172 (6.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$52,668
-66% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,940
8.1 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,634
65% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $29,476/yr fall 26% below the $39,933 national median for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

The 16.7x 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 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $19,940 debt-to-$29,476 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #93 out of 103 programs, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's financial outcomes for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $29,476 to $48,634 over five years (65% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt has a 99% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a mid-sized student body of 5,491 in Arcata, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt →

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) University of South Florida ($48,565)

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering ($55,589) Forestry ($52,810) Plant Sciences ($44,038) Computer Science ($37,153) Business Administration, Management and Operations ($36,586) Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics ($36,444) Political Science and Government ($36,079) Social Work ($35,693)

Frequently Asked Questions

How does California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program score?
This program scores 31/100 — on the lower end for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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 are Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences earnings lower at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt?
Lower starting pay at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →