Geography Degree in Boise, ID — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Boise, ID. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$61K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$82K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
4.8 yrs
in Boise
Cost of Living
121
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Boise, ID Overview
Boise is one of Idaho's top college towns, with 27 institutions and a student population of 13,506. Public tuition averages $8,060/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Geography enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in GIS and Cartography. The adjusted starting salary in Boise is approximately $60,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
27
Public Tuition
$8,060/yr
Private Tuition
$34,250/yr
Room & Board
$13,521/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,294/yr
Unemployment
5.6%
Graduation Rate
58%
Geography Salary in Boise (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Boise's cost of living index of 121 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Boise adjustment factor: 1.21x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Boise
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Boise tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $8,060 | Private avg: $34,250
Boise avg aid: $15,294/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$86,324
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,150
vs HS diploma in Boise
ROI Payback Period
4.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Boise
$337,176
Lifetime earnings premium ($423,500) minus total education cost ($86,324)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Boise
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Boise for Geography
Boise State University
public
$8,060/yr
$32,240 total
College of Idaho
private
$34,250/yr
$137,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
College of Western Idaho
$3,456/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Boise
Boise offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Boise Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Geography in Nearby Idaho Cities
Meridian, ID
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Nampa, ID
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Idaho Falls, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.5
3 colleges
Caldwell, ID
$46K starting · COL 92.8
3 colleges
Pocatello, ID
$59K starting · COL 118
6 colleges
Coeur d'Alene, ID
$53K starting · COL 105.2
3 colleges
Twin Falls, ID
$63K starting · COL 126
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Boise
International Relations
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$58K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$61K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$61K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$53K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$61K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$53K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Boise — 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 Geography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Boise.