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Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree
53 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
53
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $43,068/yr (8% vs median)
AI Risk High (47% exposed)
Job Market Medium (15,600 openings/yr)
ROI 15.3x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #5 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 Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates.

Optimistic
No Disruption		 Base Case
Gradual AI		 Pessimistic
Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings $710K $686K $617K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.8x 15.3x 13.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.4x 4.2x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 68% 60% 46%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 53 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$44,820
Out-of-state: $162,412 (4.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$67,712
-51% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,250
6.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$71,564
66% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $43,068 per year, Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison earn slightly above the $39,933 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.3x 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 13% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $24,250 represents roughly 7 months of the $43,068 starting salary — a manageable burden by most borrower standards.

At #5 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 $71,564 show a 66% jump from the $43,068 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison accepts 43% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 35,665 students enrolled in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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 University of Wisconsin-Madison

Chemical Engineering ($85,945) Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods ($83,260) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($82,018) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($80,566) Industrial Engineering ($80,435) Insurance ($78,796) Materials Engineering ($76,662) Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($75,513)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at University of Wisconsin-Madison?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences field.
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 $617,112 in decade earnings vs $709,940 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes University of Wisconsin-Madison's Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences program stand out?
Ranked #5 of 103 programs nationally, University of Wisconsin-Madison lands in the top 5%. 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 →