U.S. median for this major: $60,453.
College Scorecard field of study; 18 graduates with earnings reported. A small group, so treat this figure with caution
Median for graduates who received federal aid.
College Scorecard field of study
About 40% of median earnings 4 years out. U.S. median $25,000.
College Scorecard field of study (federal loans)
Average after grants for all families receiving federal aid. Pick your income above.
Sticker price $24,018. College Scorecard.
ISU Geology / Earth Science: pay against the field, and payback
Same major, other colleges
Fewer than 3 Iowa colleges report earnings for this major, so there is no state median.
Median earnings 4 years after graduating; state and U.S. figures are the median of each covered college's graduates in this major. College Scorecard; calculated by EducationGuide.
Geology / Earth Science nationally: jobs, pay at ages 25-34, every state →
Cost to finish and years to pay back, by income
Uses ISU's school-wide net price (no college reports it by major) and this major's graduate earnings.
| Family income | Net price / yr | Cost to finish | Years to pay back |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0–30k | $10,582 | $45,714 | 1.6 years |
| $30–48k | $11,506 | $49,706 | 1.7 years |
| $48–75k | $15,463 | $66,800 | 2.3 years |
| $75–110k | $19,605 | $84,694 | 3.0 years |
| $110k+ | $22,496 | $97,183 | 3.4 years |
Cost to finish = yearly price × 4.3 years, the average time graduates took (54% finished in 4 years; students who entered fall 2017, IPEDS). Years to pay back = cost to finish ÷ the earnings gain: median earnings of Geology / Earth Science graduates 4 years after graduating ($65,204) minus $36,661 for high school graduates ages 25-34 in IA (Census ACS 2020-2024), a gain of $28,543 a year. Before taxes, loan interest and earnings given up while in school. Method
College Scorecard; IPEDS Graduation Rates; U.S. Census Bureau ACS. Calculated by EducationGuide.
Geology / Earth Science at Iowa colleges
Every Iowa college we cover that reports Geology / Earth Science graduate earnings, highest first. Net price is the school-wide average after grants.
| Rank | College | Earnings, 4 yrs | Median debt | Avg. net price | Graduation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa State University | $65,204 | $26,250 | $18,589 | 75% |
| 2 | University of Northern Iowa | $46,986 | — | $15,901 | 68% |
3 more Iowa colleges offer Geology / Earth Science but have too few graduates to report earnings.
Careers for Geology / Earth Science graduates
Natural Sciences Managers
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +8.2% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers
Median annual wage, all workers. U.S. jobs +5.1% by 2035. Typical entry: bachelor's degree.
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025; Employment Projections 2025-35. Careers from the federal major-to-occupation crosswalk.
What families pay at ISU, by income
School-wide average after grants for students receiving federal aid. Tap your band.
College Scorecard
About ISU
- Acceptance rate: 89% · admissions
- Graduation rate: 75% within 6 years
- Median earnings, all majors, 10 years after starting: $63,386
- Full cost breakdown · all 93 majors · overview
Related majors at ISU
- Chemistry$66,486
- Physics—
- Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology$52,786
ISU Geology / Earth Science questions
How much do ISU Geology / Earth Science graduates earn?
Geology / Earth Science graduates of Iowa State University earn a median $65,204 four years after graduating and $50,150 one year after. The U.S. median for Geology / Earth Science graduates across 137 colleges is $60,453.
How much debt do ISU Geology / Earth Science graduates have?
The median federal loan debt for Geology / Earth Science graduates of Iowa State University is $26,250, about 40% of their median earnings four years out. Nationally the median is $25,000.
Where does ISU rank for Geology / Earth Science in Iowa?
Of 2 Iowa colleges reporting Geology / Earth Science graduate earnings, Iowa State University ranks 1st, the highest.
What jobs do Geology / Earth Science graduates get?
A common career is natural sciences managers, with a median wage of $116,540 in the Ames, IA area and $167,220 nationally. Others include geoscientists, except hydrologists and geographers.
Is ISU the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing ISU with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (field of study: median earnings and federal loan debt of graduates who received federal aid); BLS. How we score
Data: JSON · Markdown · all datasets
Cite this: “Iowa State University Geology / Earth Science: earnings, debt and careers,” EducationGuide.com, https://educationguide.com/colleges/iowa-state-university/majors/geology-earth-science (College Scorecard and BLS data).