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Geography and Cartography at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
45 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings $38,648/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 14.1x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
Ranked #59 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 $465K $468K $446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 14.1x 13.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 5.8x 5.8x 5.5x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 45 44

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (5.8x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$64,696
-95% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,999
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

San Diego State University's Geography and Cartography program produces graduates earning $38,648/yr — within striking distance of the $38,355 national average for this field.

The 14.1x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,999 in median debt clears quickly against $38,648 in annual earnings.

At #59 out of 95 programs, San Diego State University's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About San Diego State University

Admission to San Diego State University is competitive, with 34% of applicants accepted, with 33,654 students enrolled in San Diego, CA.

See all programs and financial aid at San Diego 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

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 San Diego State University

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing ($100,221) Construction Engineering Technologies ($81,608) Computer Engineering ($76,812) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($75,061) Computer Science ($74,523) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($74,375) Civil Engineering ($73,584) Mechanical Engineering ($69,754)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Geography and Cartography trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 San Diego State University's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →