Program Analysis
Graduates earn $34,481/yr, roughly in line with the $39,933 national median for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 15.8x 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 $24,984 debt-to-$34,481 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #67 out of 103 programs, Missouri State University-Springfield's financial outcomes for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $34,481 to $55,371 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.