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Geography and Cartography at Appalachian State University

Boone, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $41,648/yr (9% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

ROI 20.7x earnings multiple (6.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #4 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 5%

How AI Changes the Outlook

Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Geography and Cartography graduates.

	Optimistic No Disruption	Base Case Gradual AI	Pessimistic Aggressive AI
10-Year Earnings	$642K	$625K	$563K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	21.3x	20.7x	18.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	6.5x	6.4x	5.7x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	62	61	59

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$30,164

Out-of-state: $98,148 (6.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$65,948

-119% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,125

5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$67,126

61% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $41,648 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from Appalachian State University earn slightly above the $38,355 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 20.7x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 12% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $18,125 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #4 out of 95 programs, Appalachian State University's Geography and Cartography program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $41,648 to $67,126 over five years (61% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About Appalachian State University

With 89% of applicants admitted, Appalachian State University prioritizes broad access, with a mid-sized student body of 19,304 in Boone, NC.

See all programs and financial aid at Appalachian State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Geographers $97,200/yr

Geography teachers, postsecondary $86,730/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Other Majors at Appalachian State University

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Appalachian State University's Geography and Cartography program score?

This program scores 61/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography graduates.

How vulnerable is Geography and Cartography to AI automation?

AI won't 'replace' Geography and Cartography careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.

Why does Appalachian State University rank so high for Geography and Cartography?

The #4 ranking out of 95 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →