Geography Degree in Glendale, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Glendale, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$53K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$71K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.7 yrs
in Glendale
Cost of Living
105
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Glendale, AZ Overview
Glendale, Arizona (pop. 248,325) has 16 colleges offering Geography programs. The local cost of living index of 105 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $1,370/month. Geography enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in GIS and Cartography. The adjusted starting salary in Glendale is approximately $52,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
16
Public Tuition
$12,652/yr
Private Tuition
$44,500/yr
Room & Board
$13,685/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,168/yr
Unemployment
4.8%
Graduation Rate
53%
Geography Salary in Glendale (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Glendale's cost of living index of 105 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Glendale adjustment factor: 1.05x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Glendale
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Glendale tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,652 | Private avg: $44,500
Glendale avg aid: $14,168/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$105,348
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$15,750
vs HS diploma in Glendale
ROI Payback Period
6.7 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Glendale
$262,152
Lifetime earnings premium ($367,500) minus total education cost ($105,348)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Glendale
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Glendale for Geography
Midwestern University
private
$44,500/yr
$178,000 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Glendale Community College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Glendale
Glendale offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Glendale Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Geography in Nearby Arizona Cities
Phoenix, AZ
$76K starting · COL 152
72 colleges
Tucson, AZ
$58K starting · COL 116
24 colleges
Mesa, AZ
$55K starting · COL 110
31 colleges
Chandler, AZ
$62K starting · COL 124
22 colleges
Gilbert, AZ
$60K starting · COL 119
26 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Tempe, AZ
$57K starting · COL 113
5 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Glendale
International Relations
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$50K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$53K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$53K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$46K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$53K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$46K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Glendale — 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 Glendale.