Geography Degree in Medford, OR — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Medford, OR. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$56K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$75K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.1 yrs
in Medford
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Medford, OR Overview
While Medford has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Geography students benefit from lower tuition costs. Room and board averages $14,881/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 Medford is approximately $55,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$10,326/yr
Private Tuition
$41,865/yr
Room & Board
$14,881/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,464/yr
Unemployment
3.6%
Graduation Rate
67%
Geography Salary in Medford (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Medford's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Medford adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Medford
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Medford tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,326 | Private avg: $41,865
Medford avg aid: $14,464/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$100,828
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,650
vs HS diploma in Medford
ROI Payback Period
6.1 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Medford
$287,672
Lifetime earnings premium ($388,500) minus total education cost ($100,828)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Medford
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Medford for Geography
Southern Oregon University
public
$10,326/yr
$41,304 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rogue Community College
$4,536/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Medford
Medford offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Medford Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Geography in Nearby Oregon Cities
Portland, OR
$56K starting · COL 112
24 colleges
Eugene, OR
$65K starting · COL 130
14 colleges
Salem, OR
$60K starting · COL 120
14 colleges
Gresham, OR
$55K starting · COL 110.2
5 colleges
Hillsboro, OR
$58K starting · COL 115.5
5 colleges
Bend, OR
$54K starting · COL 107
2 colleges
Beaverton, OR
$53K starting · COL 105.9
4 colleges
Springfield, OR
$60K starting · COL 120.3
3 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Medford
International Relations
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$53K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$56K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$56K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$49K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$56K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$49K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Medford — 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 Medford.