Bachelor's-6% vs national median282 grads tracked
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at James Madison University
Ranked 105th of 160 bachelor's programs in Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences by 5-year earnings.
Median · 1 year out
$36,805
middle 50%: $25,395 – $50,111
Median · 5 years out
$58,445
middle 50%: $43,868 – $73,968
Median · 10 years out
$76,518
middle 50%: $57,726 – $100,721
Salary trajectory
Median earnings vs the national median for Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences (bachelor's) graduates.
This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates
Geosciences graduates from James Madison University earn a median starting salary of $37k. By year 10, earnings reach approximately $77k.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.
Will the degree pay for itself?
Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.
Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).
Paid off in
7.3 yrs
≈ $8,742 total interest
Same major at other universities
Ball State University
$58,858 · 5 yrs out
Bridgewater State University
$58,787 · 5 yrs out
University of Hawaii at Manoa
$58,734 · 5 yrs out
Missouri University of Science and Technology
$58,659 · 5 yrs out
State University of New York College at Potsdam
$58,632 · 5 yrs out
SUNY College at Geneseo
$58,556 · 5 yrs out
SUNY at Fredonia
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
Appalachian State University
$58,363 · 5 yrs out
University of Cincinnati
$58,227 · 5 yrs out
University of Southern Indiana
$58,065 · 5 yrs out
Purdue University
$57,978 · 5 yrs out
College of Charleston
$57,619 · 5 yrs out
Other majors at James Madison University
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$149,041 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$113,393 · 5 yrs out
Information Science/Studies (Bachelor's)
$109,323 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$108,391 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Bachelor's)
$107,900 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's)
$105,157 · 5 yrs out
Systems Science and Theory (Bachelor's)
$101,995 · 5 yrs out
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's)
$101,563 · 5 yrs out
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's)
$97,528 · 5 yrs out
Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's)
$97,305 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Bachelor's)
$94,450 · 5 yrs out
Engineering, General (Bachelor's)
$94,450 · 5 yrs out