Geography Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026
Geography degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$73K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$99K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.3 yrs
in Washington
Cost of Living
146
index (100 = avg)
Geography in Washington, DC Overview
Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Geography enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in GIS and Cartography. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $73,000.
Category
Social Sciences
Local Colleges
42
Public Tuition
$12,276/yr
Private Tuition
$51,262/yr
Room & Board
$22,009/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$8,537/yr
Unemployment
5.8%
Graduation Rate
60%
Geography Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Geography salary: $50,000 starting, $68,000 mid-career, $85,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.
Geography ROI Calculator for Washington
Estimate your return on investment for a Geography degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262
Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$137,140
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$21,900
vs HS diploma in Washington
ROI Payback Period
6.3 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Washington
$373,860
Lifetime earnings premium ($511,000) minus total education cost ($137,140)
Student Loan Payoff for Geography in Washington
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Washington for Geography
Georgetown University
private
$62,052/yr
$248,208 total
George Washington University
private
$60,770/yr
$243,080 total
Howard University
private
$30,964/yr
$123,856 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
University of the District of Columbia Community College
$3,120/yr
Top Employers for Geography in Washington
Washington offers opportunities in Government agencies, Non-profits, Research institutes for Geography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Social Sciences
Government agencies
Non-profits
Research institutes
Social services
Consulting
Common Geography Job Titles
Other Social Sciences Majors in Washington
International Relations
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Political Science
$70K starting · 5.5 yr ROI
Urban Planning
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Forensic Science
$73K starting · 4.8 yr ROI
Sustainability Studies
$73K starting · 5.8 yr ROI
Psychology
$64K starting · 6 yr ROI
Criminal Justice
$73K starting · 5 yr ROI
Sociology
$64K starting · 6.5 yr ROI
Geography Degree in Washington — 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 Washington.