Geography graduates earn $57,853 four years out. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,482 and $75,644. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and how far you advance in the field.
Geography is a focused area of study within Social Sciences. Graduates typically earn around $57,853 four years out, a solid return for a focused credential. The program is available at 525 colleges across the U.S., from community colleges to research universities. About 7,541 students complete this program each year, most earning a bachelor's. Coursework pairs research methods with the applied study of people and institutions.
Median Earnings · 1yr
$38,726
Median Earnings · 4yr
$57,853
Colleges Offering
525
Graduates / Year
7,541
Avg Net Price / yr
$17,908
How Much Do Geography Graduates Earn?
Geography graduates earn $57,853 four years out, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,482 and $75,644. Earnings typically jump significantly in the first few years. The one-year figure of $38,726 climbs to $57,853 by year four.
$38,726
1 Year After Graduation
Starting salaries only. Earnings in this field grow substantially in the first 3 to 5 years.
$57,853
4-Year National Median
Near the national median for college graduates.
$57,751
4-Year Institutional Median
Median of per-school medians. Each reporting college counts equally, regardless of size.
Earnings Range
There is a moderate earnings spread across Geography graduates. Degree level and sector drive the gap. Graduate-level government and research roles anchor the top; entry-level social services and nonprofit roles anchor the bottom.
$42,48225th pct.
$57,853Median
$75,64475th pct.
A Solid Financial Return
Solid ROI. At median 4-year earnings of $57,853 and an estimated $71,632 four-year net cost, the typical graduate reaches earnings breakeven in roughly 2.6 years.
Based on outcomes from 302 schools.
Colleges with fewer than 30 graduates are excluded from national averages.
Who Studies This? Credential Breakdown
Of the 7,541 students who complete Geography programs each year, the majority (55%) earn a bachelor's degree.
The breakdown below shows the full credential distribution.
55%
Bachelor's55%
Master's19%
Post-Bacc Cert.14%
What Can You Do With a Geography Degree?
Geography connects to 2 occupations in the job market. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists leads at $81,390/yr median. Expand any card to see daily responsibilities, in-demand skills, and 10-year growth projections.
Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.
Compile data required for map preparation, including aerial photographs, survey notes, records, reports, and original maps.
Delineate aerial photographic detail, such as control points, hydrography, topography, and cultural features, using precision stereoplotting apparatus or drafting instruments.
Prepare and alter trace maps, charts, tables, detailed drawings, and three-dimensional optical models of terrain using stereoscopic plotting and computer graphics equipment.
High school diploma or equivalent7,600 openings/yr58K employed nationally
Reading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMathematicsWritingComplex Problem Solving
Day-to-day responsibilities
Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.
Position and hold the vertical rods, or targets, that theodolite operators use for sighting to measure angles, distances, and elevations.
Check all layers of maps to ensure accuracy, identifying and marking errors and making corrections.
Design or develop information databases that include geographic or topographic data.
Top Colleges for Geography
The 20 colleges below are ranked by how many Geography students they graduate each year. Scroll right to compare acceptance rate, net price, and median earnings side by side.
Decide with data, not guesswork. These tools turn the numbers on this page
into a personal plan. Estimate the real cost of a Geography program, compare colleges side-by-side, weigh the long-term payoff, and find
schools that match your profile.
The data on Geography shows 4 measurable strengths and 0 real trade-offs. All points are sourced from College Scorecard earnings, BLS projections, and IPEDS graduate counts.
PROS
Above-average earningsFour-year median of $57,853 puts graduates ahead of many humanities and social science programs.
Strong salary growthMedian earnings climb from $38,726 at graduation to $57,853 four years later, a clear sign of career momentum in this field.
Positive job outlookRelated careers project up to +6.4% job growth over the next 10 years, a solid signal for long-term demand.
Wide availabilityOffered at 525 colleges nationwide, with options at every price point and institution type.
Geography Degree: Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Geography graduates earn?
Geography graduates earn a national median of $57,853 four years after completing their program. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,482 and $75,644. Where you land typically depends on employer, role, and location.
What is the starting salary for a Geography degree?
One year after graduation, Geography degree holders earn a median of $38,726. That climbs to $57,853 four years out. The biggest salary jumps typically come once you move past entry-level roles.
What jobs can you get with a Geography degree?
Geography degree holders pursue careers including Cartographers and Photogrammetrists, which pays a median of $81,390/yr. Scroll down to the Career Paths section to see wages and job growth projections for every related occupation.
How long does a Geography program take?
A Geography bachelor's degree typically takes four years of full-time study. Community colleges offer associate programs in two years for students who want a faster path into the workforce.
How many colleges offer Geography?
525 colleges and universities in the United States offer Geography programs. Options range from community colleges with certificates and associate degrees to research universities with doctoral tracks.
Is a Geography degree worth it?
With a median 4-year salary of $57,853 and an average net price of roughly $17,908/yr, a Geography degree can pay off well, especially at lower-cost schools and in high-demand roles. Use the Top Colleges section below to compare specific programs before deciding.
What is the difference between Geography and Social Sciences?
Geography is a focused concentration within the broader Social Sciences field. The Social Sciences major covers the full discipline; this program narrows the curriculum to Geography-specific courses, skills, and career tracks. If you already know this is the direction you want, the specialized program gives you a more targeted credential.
What skills do employers look for in Geography graduates?
Employers hiring Geography graduates consistently prioritize research methodology, interpersonal communication, and policy understanding. Experience with surveys, qualitative interviews, or statistical tools is often a differentiator in government, nonprofit, and research roles.
What is the job outlook for Geography graduates?
The job outlook for Geography graduates is moderate overall. Related occupations project an average of +5.5% job growth over the next 10 years. Cartographers and Photogrammetrists is among the strongest-growth roles at +6.4%. Growth varies by role and location, so check the Career Paths section for projections on each specific occupation.
Related Social Sciences Programs
Other programs in Social Sciences. Compare earnings, credentials, and career paths before committing to a specialization.
Free, data-backed guides to help you decide, built on the same federal data as this profile.
H
How to Choose a Major Pillar
A decision framework for picking a college major using your interests, aptitudes, and federal earnings data to reach a defensible choice before applying.
The real cost of a second major, when it pays back and when it doesn't, and why a focused single major with a relevant minor often beats a double major.
Why the 10-year job-growth outlook often matters more than today's salary, what the BLS projections measure, and how to use them to weigh the future of a field, not just its present.
Original data analyses built on the same federal data as this profile. Rankings, outliers, and patterns, no opinions.
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