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Geography and Cartography at Salem State University

Salem, MA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $32,504/yr (-15% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 11.0x earnings multiple (7.0x out-of-state)

Ranked #78 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs

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	$534K	$529K	$491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.1x	11.0x	10.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.0x	7.0x	6.5x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	39	38	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,912

Out-of-state: $75,844 (7.0x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$73,764

-54% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,774

56% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $32,504 place Salem State University below the $38,355 national median for Geography and Cartography — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 11.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $21,500 debt-to-$32,504 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #78 out of 95 programs, Salem State University's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $32,504 to $50,774 over five years (56% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Salem State University

Salem State University accepts 96% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, a compact campus enrolling 4,286 students in Salem, MA.

See all programs and financial aid at Salem State 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 Salem State University

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

How does Salem State University's Geography and Cartography program score?

This program scores 38/100 — on the lower end for Geography and Cartography. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.

How vulnerable is Geography and Cartography to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Geography and Cartography careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why are Geography and Cartography earnings lower at Salem State University?

Lower starting pay at Salem State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

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