Home › California State University-Long Beach › Geography and Cartography

Geography and Cartography at California State University-Long Beach

Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $32,198/yr (-16% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

ROI 19.9x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #45 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 50%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Geography and Cartography graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$567K	$559K	$514K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	20.2x	19.9x	18.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.5x	7.4x	6.8x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	47	47	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$28,032

Out-of-state: $75,552 (7.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$35,724

-27% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,000

6.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$54,468

69% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Starting salaries of $32,198/yr fall 16% below the $38,355 national median for Geography and Cartography. The financial case depends heavily on whether tuition compensates.

With a 19.9x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 9% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Geography and Cartography career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

At $18,000 against $32,198/yr in earnings, the debt burden is moderate. Most graduates should manage repayment without extended financial strain.

A #45 ranking among 95 Geography and Cartography programs places California State University-Long Beach in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $32,198-to-$54,468 earnings arc over five years reflects a 69% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Long Beach

With a 47% acceptance rate, California State University-Long Beach is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Geographers $97,200/yr

Geography teachers, postsecondary $86,730/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at California State University-Long Beach?

At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Geography and Cartography programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at California State University-Long Beach?

The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is California State University-Long Beach a good choice for Geography and Cartography despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Long Beach's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →