Geography Degree in Fort Collins, CO — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Fort Collins, CO. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$63K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$86K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.8 yrs
in Fort Collins
Cost of Living
126
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Fort Collins, CO Overview
While Fort Collins has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Geography students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,826/year, and the car-friendly layout shapes the student experience. Geography enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in GIS and Cartography. The adjusted starting salary in Fort Collins is approximately $63,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,138/yr
Private Tuition
$33,574/yr
Room & Board
$19,826/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$10,695/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
49%
Geography Salary in Fort Collins (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Fort Collins's cost of living index of 126 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Fort Collins adjustment factor: 1.26x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Fort Collins
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Fort Collins tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,138 | Private avg: $33,574
Fort Collins avg aid: $10,695/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$127,856
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$18,900
vs HS diploma in Fort Collins
ROI Payback Period
6.8 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Fort Collins
$313,144
Lifetime earnings premium ($441,000) minus total education cost ($127,856)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Fort Collins
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Fort Collins for Geography
Colorado State University
public
$12,138/yr
$48,552 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Front Range Community College
$4,419/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Fort Collins
Fort Collins offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Fort Collins Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Geography in Nearby Colorado Cities
Denver, CO
$64K starting · COL 128
31 colleges
Colorado Springs, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
22 colleges
Aurora, CO
$56K starting · COL 111
28 colleges
Lakewood, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.8
6 colleges
Thornton, CO
$51K starting · COL 102.5
6 colleges
Arvada, CO
$53K starting · COL 105.5
5 colleges
Westminster, CO
$52K starting · COL 103.8
5 colleges
Pueblo, CO
$61K starting · COL 122
13 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Fort Collins
International Relations
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$60K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$63K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$63K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$55K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$63K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$55K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Fort Collins — 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 Fort Collins.