Geography Major — Salary & ROI 2026
Study of Earth's physical features, climates, and human populations.
Starting Salary
$50K
median
Mid-Career
$68K
salary
ROI Payback
5.5 yrs
avg payback
Unemployment
4%
rate
Geography Overview
Study of Earth's physical features, climates, and human populations.
Category
Social Sciences
Degree Level
Bachelor's
Graduation Rate
62%
Enrollment Trend
stable
Online Available
Yes
Underemployment
25%
Lifetime Premium
$350K
Female Graduates
42%
Geography Degree ROI Calculator
Estimate your actual return on investment based on school type and scholarships.
0 to $40K/year in aid
Est. Total Cost
$15,750
4-year tuition
Net Cost (w/ aid)
$15,750
after scholarships
ROI Payback
1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return
$334,250
Lifetime earnings premium ($350,000) minus net degree cost ($15,750)
Geography Salary Progression
Common Geography Careers
Geographer
GIS Analyst
Urban Planner
Cartographer
Top Employers
Skills You'll Learn
Top Schools for Geography
#1
UC Santa Barbara
#2
Penn State
#3
University of Wisconsin
#4
Clark University
#5
University of Oregon
Related Majors
Geography Degree FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Enrollment and graduation data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES/IPEDS). Tuition estimates based on College Board Annual Survey of Colleges. Last updated March 2026.
Geography Programs by City
Tuition, salary outcomes, and cost of living for geography programs vary by city. See your local numbers:
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