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Geography and Cartography at California State University-Northridge

Northridge, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
52
Pessimistic
Earnings $27,002/yr (-30% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 28.4x earnings multiple (10.6x out-of-state)
Ranked #36 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 $847K $807K $698K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 29.8x 28.4x 24.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 11.2x 10.6x 9.2x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 52

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,380
Out-of-state: $75,900 (10.6x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$30,396
-7% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$12,500
5.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$75,692
180% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State University-Northridge's Geography and Cartography graduates start at $27,002/yr, trailing the $38,355 national average by 30%. The program's value hinges on affordability.

With a 28.4x return on in-state tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 18% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Geography and Cartography career paths face displacement, but others in the field are more insulated.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $12,500 in median debt clears quickly against $27,002 in annual earnings.

A #36 ranking among 95 Geography and Cartography programs places California State University-Northridge in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $27,002-to-$75,692 earnings arc over five years reflects a 180% gain — well above average career growth for recent graduates.

About California State University-Northridge

A 93% acceptance rate means California State University-Northridge is accessible to most applicants, one of the larger campuses at 32,357 students in Northridge, CA. With 56% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.

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

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

Compare this program → View all 95 schools offering Geography and Cartography →

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Park University ($58,786) Dartmouth College ($56,756) Texas A & M University-College Station ($54,204) University of Nevada-Reno ($53,079) George Washington University ($52,883) George Mason University ($49,568) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($49,267) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($49,267)

Other Majors at California State University-Northridge

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($106,780) Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions ($100,724) Construction Engineering Technologies ($79,352) Public Administration ($76,049) Computer Engineering ($75,692) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,207) Mechanical Engineering ($71,359) Accounting and Related Services ($68,904)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Geography and Cartography trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 49/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at California State University-Northridge?
At 49/100, 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-Northridge?
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-Northridge a good choice for Geography and Cartography despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Northridge'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 →