Geography Degree in Tempe, AZ — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Tempe, AZ. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$57K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$77K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
7.6 yrs
in Tempe
Cost of Living
113
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Tempe, AZ Overview
While Tempe has a smaller college scene with 5 institutions, Geography students benefit from the close-knit academic community. Room and board averages $19,552/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 Tempe is approximately $56,500.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
5
Public Tuition
$12,467/yr
Private Tuition
$40,205/yr
Room & Board
$19,552/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$15,200/yr
Unemployment
6.9%
Graduation Rate
73%
Geography Salary in Tempe (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Tempe's cost of living index of 113 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Tempe adjustment factor: 1.13x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Tempe
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Tempe tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,467 | Private avg: $40,205
Tempe avg aid: $15,200/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$128,076
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$16,950
vs HS diploma in Tempe
ROI Payback Period
7.6 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Tempe
$267,424
Lifetime earnings premium ($395,500) minus total education cost ($128,076)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Tempe
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Tempe for Geography
Arizona State University
public
$12,467/yr
$49,868 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Rio Salado College
$2,580/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Tempe
Tempe offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Tempe 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
Glendale, AZ
$53K starting · COL 105
16 colleges
Scottsdale, AZ
$63K starting · COL 126
16 colleges
Peoria, AZ
$52K starting · COL 103.8
7 colleges
Other Social Sciences Majors in Tempe
International Relations
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$54K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$57K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$57K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$50K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$57K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$50K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Tempe — 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 Tempe.