Geographic Information Science Degree in Sacramento, CA — Salary & ROI 2026
Geographic Information Science degree analysis for Sacramento, CA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$87K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.5 yrs
in Sacramento
Cost of Living
112
index (100 = avg)
Geographic Information Science in Sacramento, CA Overview
Sacramento is one of California's top college towns, with 38 institutions and a student population of 18,535. Public tuition averages $7,488/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Geographic Information Science has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for GIS Software and Remote Sensing skills. The adjusted starting salary in Sacramento is approximately $56,000, growing to $87,360 by mid-career.
Category
STEM
Local Colleges
38
Public Tuition
$7,488/yr
Private Tuition
$44,382/yr
Room & Board
$19,962/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$16,517/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
55%
Geographic Information Science Salary in Sacramento (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Sacramento's cost of living index of 112 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geographic Information Science salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $95,000 senior level.Sacramento adjustment factor: 1.12x based on the local cost of living index.
Geographic Information Science ROI Calculator for Sacramento
Estimate your return on investment for a Geographic Information Science degree using local Sacramento tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $7,488 | Private avg: $44,382
Sacramento avg aid: $16,517/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$109,800
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,800
vs HS diploma in Sacramento
ROI Payback Period
6.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Sacramento
$450,200
Lifetime earnings premium ($560,000) minus total education cost ($109,800)
Student Loan Payoff for Geographic Information Science in Sacramento
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Sacramento for Geographic Information Science
Sacramento State University
public
$7,488/yr
$29,952 total
University of the Pacific
private
$52,584/yr
$210,336 total
William Jessup University
private
$36,180/yr
$144,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Sacramento City College
$1,540/yr
Top Employers for Geographic Information Science in Sacramento
Sacramento offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Geographic Information Science graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Sacramento Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Geographic Information Science Job Titles
Geographic Information Science in Nearby California Cities
Los Angeles, CA
$71K starting · COL 141
69 colleges
San Diego, CA
$70K starting · COL 140
68 colleges
San Jose, CA
$65K starting · COL 129
95 colleges
San Francisco, CA
$57K starting · COL 114
22 colleges
Fresno, CA
$59K starting · COL 118
37 colleges
Long Beach, CA
$58K starting · COL 116
14 colleges
Oakland, CA
$66K starting · COL 132
13 colleges
Bakersfield, CA
$67K starting · COL 134
18 colleges
Other STEM Majors in Sacramento
Prompt Engineering
$56K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$106K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$95K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$99K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$92K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$95K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$90K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Geographic Information Science degree outcomes in Sacramento, CA: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Geographic Information Science programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for California.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Sacramento using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Geographic Information Science graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Geographic Information Science career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Geographic Information Science grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Sacramento Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), California students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — California programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "california higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Geographic Information Science Degree in Sacramento — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Geographic Information Science ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Sacramento.