Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences at Ball State University
IN · Bachelor's Degree · CIP 40.06
Executive Summary
Graduates with a Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degree from Ball State University earn a median salary of $58,858 within five years of graduation. Adjusted for the cost of living in IN, this represents a national purchasing power equivalent of $65,108. The degree typically pays for itself in 10.2 years.
Quick Insights
How this degree looks at a glance
A fast read on salary range, break-even speed, living-cost impact, and where bachelor's graduates from this school usually land.
Salary Ranges
Starting Range
$44,849
Typical Career
$58,858
Top Performers
$72,585
Estimated break-even: 10.2 years.
Debt-to-Income Check
$392
Estimated comfortable monthly loan payment
Typical monthly pay is approximately $4,905. Most students can comfortably afford about a $392 monthly loan payment with this degree.
Comparison Bench
This degree earns 1.5x more than the average US high school graduate and 0.8x more than the average college graduate.
Purchasing Power Context
A dollar in Indiana buys what costs $0.90 nationally.
Industry Breadcrumbs
Top industries for bachelor's graduates from this school: Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, Professional, Scientific & Technical Services.
Where Bachelor's Graduates from This School Work
Institution-wide industry mix for bachelor's graduates, 5 years after graduation. This is not major-specific. Source: Census PSEO Flows.
5-Year Median Salary — National Purchasing Power Equivalent
$65,108
Nominal: $58,858 in Indiana (COL 90.4% of national avg) · 10.6% higher purchasing power
10-Year Earnings Curve
Break-Even Timeline
How long until cumulative earnings advantage exceeds total college investment (tuition + opportunity cost vs. entering workforce directly after high school).
Total Investment
$155,168
4yr tuition + 4yr opportunity cost
HS Graduate Baseline
$38,792/yr
BLS 2023 median, HS diploma
View Raw Data: Median Earnings by Year
| Timeframe | 25th Pct. | Median (50th) | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Year After Graduation | $25,829 | $36,943 | $43,469 |
| 5 Years After Graduation | $44,849 | $58,858 | $72,585 |
| 10 Years After Graduation | $42,033 | $60,696 | $79,000 |
Source: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO), 2025 release. Earnings shown for Bachelor's degree graduates (all cohorts combined).
How We Calculate Purchasing Power
The median salary of $58,858 is reported by the US Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) dataset for graduates working in IN, which has a cost-of-living index of 90.4% of the national average.
Formula: Adjusted Salary = Nominal × (1.0 ÷ COL Index)
= $58,858 × (1.0 ÷ 0.9040)
= $65,108 National Average equivalent.
COL index source: BLS Regional Consumer Price Index & MIT Living Wage Project, 2023. Full methodology →
Career Verdict
The primary industries employing graduates include Educational Services (19.4%), Health Care & Social Assistance (17.3%), and Professional, Scientific & Technical Services (11.9%). Considering the estimated break-even point of approximately 10.2 years compared to a high school-only path, the return on investment for pursuing a degree in this field appears favorable. Graduates can anticipate a stable career with opportunities for growth, particularly in sectors that prioritize scientific and technical expertise.
AI-assisted editorial analysis based on Census PSEO data. Fact-checked against source data.
Compare with Another School
See how the Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences degree at Ball State University stacks up against another institution side-by-side.
Data sources: US Census Bureau Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO). Cost-of-living index: BLS Regional CPI & MIT Living Wage Project. Cost of attendance: IPEDS. For informational use only; data may be suppressed for small cohort sizes.