Entry Level Salary
$41,650
Median Salary
$84,413
Unemployment Rate
2.4%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
29.3%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $3,376,520
Entry (Early)
$41,650
Median (Prime)
$84,413
High (Prime)
$90,040
ROI Sensitivity AnalysisAssuming 4 Years to Graduation
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
-80k
+279k
+325k
$25k / yr
-170k
+189k
+235k
$50k / yr
-260k
+99k
+145k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
Never
26
26
$25k / yr
Never
32
31
$50k / yr
Never
41
38
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
0%
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-156%
174%
216%
$50k / yr
-119%
46%
67%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator, or for more sophisticated analysis, the Guided ROI Interview, with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate32.5%
Analysis: Most graduates enter the workforce directly with a Bachelor's degree.
Top Professions
Computer occupations, all other
6.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$70,000|$108,970
openings
31,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.2%
Management occupations
6.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$67,530
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$104,125|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
3.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$15,757
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,000|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Software developers
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$73,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$118,000|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Elementary and middle school teachers
2.2% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$29,263
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$53,095|$62,500
openings
132,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): -2%
Surveyors, cartographers, and photogrammetrists
2.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$58,994
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$75,409|$74,120
openings
4,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.8%
Urban and regional planners
1.9% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$91,166|$83,720
openings
3,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +3.4%
Project management specialists
1.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$60,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$95,668|$100,750
openings
78,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.6%
Top executives
1.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,779
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$156,188|$104,990
openings
333,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +4.4%
Computer systems analysts
1.5% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$47,823
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$103,790
openings
34,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.7%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| geography and cartography. | Undergrad Certificate | 96 | $41,828 - $76,354 |
| geography and cartography. | Associate's Degree | 56 | Data N/A |
| geography and cartography. | Bachelor's Degree | 270 | $31,499 - $78,390 |
| geography and cartography. | Post-bacc Certificate | 15 | $71,944 - $83,548 |
| geography and cartography. | Master's Degree | 141 | $69,050 - $114,744 |
| geography and cartography. | Doctoral Degree | 57 | Data N/A |
| geography and cartography. | Graduate Certificate | 50 | $85,219 - $88,628 |
| geography and cartography. | Level 99 | 9 | Data N/A |
| geography and environmental studies. | Bachelor's Degree | 1 | $52,946 - $52,946 |