What is the starting salary for Geology graduates in Lexington?

The estimated starting salary for Geology graduates in Lexington, KY is $53,500 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 107. The national average starting salary for this major is $50,000. Salaries in Lexington are 7% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Geology degree worth it in Lexington?

A Geology degree in Lexington has an estimated ROI payback period of 5.7 years, with a projected lifetime return of $464,160 after subtracting education costs. With 14 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $12,360/year, Lexington offers affordable options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 6.4% and the major's national unemployment rate of 4% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Geology in Lexington?

The average annual public university tuition in Lexington is $12,360, while private universities average $42,200/year. Including room and board ($10,700/year), total 4-year costs range from $92,240 at a public school to $211,600 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Lexington is $8,397/year.

What jobs can Geology graduates get in Lexington?

Geology graduates in Lexington can pursue careers as Geologist, Geophysicist, Environmental Consultant. Key skills valued by local employers include Mineralogy, GIS, Field Mapping, Geochemistry. The Lexington job market features Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include ExxonMobil, USGS, Chevron.

How long to pay off student loans for Geology in Lexington?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Geology graduates in Lexington would pay $1,047/month on an estimated $92,240 in loans, with $33,444 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $1,805/month but save $17,397 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $53,500, monthly payments would represent 23% of gross monthly income.

Geology Degree in Lexington, KY — Salary & ROI 2026

Geology degree analysis for Lexington, KY. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$88K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.7 yrs

in Lexington

Cost of Living

107

index (100 = avg)

Geology in Lexington, KY Overview

Lexington, Kentucky (pop. 322,570) has 14 colleges offering Geology programs. The local cost of living index of 107 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,265/month. Geology enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Mineralogy and GIS. The adjusted starting salary in Lexington is approximately $53,500, growing to $87,740 by mid-career.

Geology Salary in Lexington (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Lexington's cost of living index of 107 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$53,500(+$3,500 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$87,740(+$5,740 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$112,350(+$7,350 vs national)

Note: National average Geology salary: $50,000 starting, $82,000 mid-career, $105,000 senior level.Lexington adjustment factor: 1.07x based on the local cost of living index.

Geology ROI Calculator for Lexington

Estimate your return on investment for a Geology degree using local Lexington tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $12,360 | Private avg: $42,200

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Lexington avg aid: $8,397/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$92,240

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$16,050

vs HS diploma in Lexington

ROI Payback Period

5.7 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Lexington

$464,160

Lifetime earnings premium ($556,400) minus total education cost ($92,240)

Student Loan Payoff for Geology in Lexington

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$92,240

Monthly Payment$1,047

Total Interest$33,444

% of Monthly Income23%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$92,240

Monthly Payment$1,805

Total Interest$16,047

Interest Savings$17,397

Colleges in Lexington for Geology

University of Kentucky

public

$12,360/yr

$49,440 total

Transylvania University

private

$42,200/yr

$168,800 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Bluegrass Community and Technical College

$4,680/yr

Top Employers for Geology in Lexington

Lexington offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Geology graduates. National top employers in this field include:

ExxonMobilUSGSChevronSchlumbergerEnvironmental Consulting Firms

Key Lexington Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Geology Job Titles

GeologistGeophysicistEnvironmental Consultant

Geology in Nearby Kentucky Cities

Louisville, KY

$45K starting · COL 90

17 colleges

Bowling Green, KY

$44K starting · COL 87

5 colleges

Owensboro, KY

$41K starting · COL 82.5

3 colleges

Other STEM Majors in Lexington

Prompt Engineering

$54K starting · 1.5 yr ROI

Computational Linguistics

$102K starting · 2 yr ROI

Computer Science

$91K starting · 2.8 yr ROI

Software Engineering

$94K starting · 2.7 yr ROI

Data Science

$88K starting · 3 yr ROI

Astrophysics

$91K starting · 3 yr ROI

Actuarial Science

$54K starting · 3 yr ROI

Cybersecurity

$86K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Geology degree outcomes in Lexington, KY: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.

Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Geology programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for Kentucky.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Lexington using regional CPI data.
10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
Job market outlook for Geology graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.

Authoritative US education data sources:

IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Geology career projections
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Geology grads

Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.

Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release

Financial Aid Resources for Lexington Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Kentucky students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Kentucky)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Kentucky programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "kentucky higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:

2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.

Geology Degree in Lexington — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

Explore More

Compare Geology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Lexington.

Geology Overview Colleges in Lexington All Majors