Geography and Cartography at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
53
Pessimistic
Earnings $40,553/yr (6% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.8x earnings multiple (7.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #21 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 25%

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 $571K $562K $516K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 15.0x 14.8x 13.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 7.6x 7.5x 6.8x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 53

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$37,960
Out-of-state: $75,440 (7.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$74,436
-96% less than sticker · See by income
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$58,276
44% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $40,553/yr, edging above the $38,355 national average for Geography and Cartography — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 14.8x 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 10% gap from the optimistic case.

At #21 of 95 nationally, this is a top-5% Geography and Cartography program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $40,553 to $58,276 over five years — a 44% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About Minnesota State University-Mankato

Minnesota State University-Mankato has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, enrolling 11,325 students in Mankato, MN.

See all programs and financial aid at Minnesota State University-Mankato →

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 Minnesota State University-Mankato

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 Minnesota State University-Mankato?
A score of 54/100 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 $516,059 in decade earnings vs $570,964 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Minnesota State University-Mankato's Geography and Cartography program stand out?
Ranked #21 of 95 programs nationally, Minnesota State University-Mankato lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →