Geography and Cartography at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Knoxville, TN · Public · Bachelor's Degree
49 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
50
Optimistic
49
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $44,553/yr (16% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 9.5x earnings multiple (4.0x out-of-state)
Ranked #40 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 $516K $514K $480K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 9.6x 9.5x 8.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.0x 4.0x 3.8x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 50 49 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$53,936
Out-of-state: $127,896 (4.0x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$72,436
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,500
6.6 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,073
17% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $44,553 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville earn slightly above the $38,355 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 9.5x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 7% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,500 debt-to-$44,553 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

Ranked #40 out of 95 programs, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Geography and Cartography offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

Earnings growth is modest: $44,553 to $52,073 over five years (17% gain). This field may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

About The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

The University of Tennessee-Knoxville accepts 46% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 28,763 students enrolled in Knoxville, TN.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Tennessee-Knoxville →

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

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 The University of Tennessee-Knoxville's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 49/100 — 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 →