To date, we’ve asked 37 current and past geological sciences students about their happiness with their degree. Turns out, they rate it average.

The major you choose will have a lasting effect on your career.

To help you reach the decision that is right for you, we asked students who have pursued a geological sciences degree to respond to questions concerning five dimensions of the educational track they chose:

  • Course material: Were they interested in the material they learned?
  • Intellectual fulfillment: Did they find the coursework intellectually stimulating?
  • Job prospects: Did they leave the program with job opportunities?
  • Personality: Was the degree a good fit for their personality?
  • Overall fit: Were they happy with the program overall?

We examined their responses and combined the rankings to give us an average satisfaction score across all students. This doesn't necessarily reflect how satisfied you would be with a geological sciences degree, but it’s a starting point to help you evaluate your options.

How satisfied are geological sciences students compared to other degrees?

Overall, geological sciences students rate their satisfaction with their degree a 3.2 out of 5. This is standard compared to other degrees which average a rating of 3.28 across all degrees. For context, geological sciences students rate their happiness similarly to students in Social Science, Mechanical Engineering and Music and Related Studies.

Here are other degrees that have a similar satisfaction rating to geological sciences

DegreeAvg Grad SalarySatisfaction
Computer Software Engineering$99,930
Entertainment and Media Management$62,430
Social Science$62,058
Geological Sciences$72,571
Mechanical Engineering$93,274
Music and Related Studies$56,323
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication$57,826
Engineering$100,012

Let's break that down further.

Are geological sciences students satisfied with what they’re learning?

We asked students about their satisfaction with their course material and overall intellectual fulfillment. Here’s what they said:

We asked graduates how interesting they found the course material to be. Their response was:
4.0 out of 5 stars
43 ratings
5 stars
37%
4 stars
35%
3 stars
23%
2 stars
5%
1 stars
0%
We asked graduates how intellectually fulfilling they found the degree. Their response was:
4.0 out of 5 stars
43 ratings
5 stars
42%
4 stars
19%
3 stars
35%
2 stars
5%
1 stars
0%

These ratings are meant to give you an indication about what other people enrolled in geological sciences experienced. While their input is useful, keep in mind that different people have had vastly different experiences, all of which were impacted by their personal motivations, professors, and specific curriculum. Always keep your own goals at the center of your decision-making process when it comes to something as significant as your education.

Did geological sciences graduates leave school with good job prospects?

Of course, working towards a degree is also about pursuing your desired career. Here’s what geological sciences grads had to say about their job prospects:

We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their job prospects. Their response was:
3.1 out of 5 stars
40 ratings
5 stars
15%
4 stars
20%
3 stars
30%
2 stars
28%
1 stars
8%

These responses represent a wide range of opinions. Things like extracurricular activities, internships and work placements can set you up for success after graduation.

Were geological sciences students happy with their degree overall?

This rating takes into account all factors: how demanding the program is, whether graduates felt it was worthwhile, and how fulfilling they found their educational experience.

We asked graduates how satisfied they were with their degree as a whole. Their response was:
3.2 out of 5 stars
37 ratings
5 stars
22%
4 stars
14%
3 stars
30%
2 stars
30%
1 stars
5%

As you consider this information and input from others, remember above all that your choice should be based on your interests, goals, passions, and abilities. Consider the future and give yourself time. If you’re feeling unsure, click here to take our career assessment and see what path could be right for you.

Career Paths

Learn about your career prospects after graduation.

Read about Career Paths