Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at California State University-Fullerton

Fullerton, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
56
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,509/yr (-11% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 28.7x earnings multiple (10.7x out-of-state)
Ranked #16 of 103 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences programs Top 25%

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 $853K $813K $715K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 30.2x 28.7x 25.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.3x 10.7x 9.4x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 56

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,292
Out-of-state: $75,812 (10.7x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$22,584
20% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,625
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$79,103
123% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $35,509/yr, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates from California State University-Fullerton land near the $39,933 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 28.7x 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 16% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $16,625 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

At #16 of 103 nationally, this is a top-5% Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $79,103 show a 123% jump from the $35,509 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About California State University-Fullerton

With 87% of applicants admitted, California State University-Fullerton prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 36,956 students in Fullerton, CA. With 47% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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

Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at California State University-Fullerton?
A score of 49/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences careers?
With 47% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $715,060 in decade earnings vs $853,124 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes California State University-Fullerton's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program stand out?
Ranked #16 of 103 programs nationally, California State University-Fullerton lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →