Geography Degree in Roanoke, VA — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Roanoke, VA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$60K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
8.6 yrs
in Roanoke
Cost of Living
88.5
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Roanoke, VA Overview
While Roanoke has a smaller college scene with 4 institutions, Geography students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $14,393/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 Roanoke is approximately $44,250.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
4
Public Tuition
$14,200/yr
Private Tuition
$38,000/yr
Room & Board
$14,393/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$11,213/yr
Unemployment
2.8%
Graduation Rate
63%
Geography Salary in Roanoke (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Roanoke's cost of living index of 88.5 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Roanoke adjustment factor: 0.89x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Roanoke
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Roanoke tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $14,200 | Private avg: $38,000
Roanoke avg aid: $11,213/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$114,372
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,275
vs HS diploma in Roanoke
ROI Payback Period
8.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Roanoke
$195,378
Lifetime earnings premium ($309,750) minus total education cost ($114,372)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Roanoke
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Roanoke for Geography
Roanoke State University
public
$14,684/yr
$58,736 total
University of Roanoke
public
$12,724/yr
$50,896 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Roanoke Community College
$5,068/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Roanoke
Roanoke offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Roanoke Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Geography in Nearby Virginia Cities
Virginia Beach, VA
$44K starting · COL 88
13 colleges
Chesapeake, VA
$46K starting · COL 91
12 colleges
Arlington, VA
$71K starting · COL 142.5
9 colleges
Norfolk, VA
$47K starting · COL 93
16 colleges
Richmond, VA
$50K starting · COL 100
11 colleges
Newport News, VA
$46K starting · COL 92.5
7 colleges
Alexandria, VA
$51K starting · COL 102
8 colleges
Hampton, VA
$49K starting · COL 97
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Roanoke
International Relations
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$42K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$44K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$44K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$39K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$44K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$39K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Roanoke — 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 Roanoke.