Geography and Cartography at George Mason University

Fairfax, VA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
60 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
61
Optimistic
60
Base Case
57
Pessimistic
Earnings $49,568/yr (29% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 11.2x earnings multiple (3.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #9 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 10%

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 $635K $619K $558K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 11.5x 11.2x 10.1x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 3.9x 3.5x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 61 60 57

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$55,260
Out-of-state: $157,588 (3.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$73,148
-32% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$20,500
5.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$69,330
40% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $49,568 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from George Mason University significantly outpace the $38,355 national average for this major, reflecting strong employer demand for this program's graduates.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Geography and Cartography programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Geography and Cartography's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 12% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #9 of 95 programs, George Mason University's Geography and Cartography program falls in the top 10%, outperforming most peers on financial outcomes.

Earnings grow from $49,568 to $69,330 over five years — a 40% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About George Mason University

With 89% of applicants admitted, George Mason University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 27,083 students in Fairfax, VA.

See all programs and financial aid at George Mason University →

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 George Mason University

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at George Mason University?
A score of 60/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Geography and Cartography field.
Will AI replace Geography and Cartography careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $558,453 in decade earnings vs $635,345 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →