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Geography and Cartography at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Pomona, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
54 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
55
Optimistic
54
Base Case
55
Pessimistic
Earnings $35,426/yr (-8% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 21.4x earnings multiple (8.2x out-of-state)
Ranked #20 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 25%

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 $654K $636K $571K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 22.0x 21.4x 19.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 8.5x 8.2x 7.4x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 55 54 55

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$29,756
Out-of-state: $77,276 (8.2x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$46,320
-56% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$13,000
4.4 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$65,411
85% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Geography and Cartography program produces graduates earning $35,426/yr — within striking distance of the $38,355 national average for this field.

The 21.4x 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 13% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $13,000 in median debt clears quickly against $35,426 in annual earnings.

Ranked #20 out of 95 programs, California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Geography and Cartography program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

Earnings growth from $35,426 to $65,411 over five years (85% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

A 74% acceptance rate means California State Polytechnic University-Pomona is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 24,271 in Pomona, CA. Pell Grant recipients make up 46% of the student body — a marker of economic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona →

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

Compare this program → View all 95 schools offering Geography and Cartography →

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Park University ($58,786) Dartmouth College ($56,756) Texas A & M University-College Station ($54,204) University of Nevada-Reno ($53,079) George Washington University ($52,883) George Mason University ($49,568) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($49,267) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($49,267)

Other Majors at California State Polytechnic University-Pomona

Construction Engineering Technologies ($87,960) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($80,827) Manufacturing Engineering ($79,549) Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering ($78,320) Civil Engineering ($75,758) Industrial Engineering ($75,110) Mechanical Engineering ($75,040) Computer Engineering ($70,768)

Explore the Trade Alternative

Compare Geography and Cartography trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 54/100, 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 California State Polytechnic University-Pomona rank so high for Geography and Cartography?
The #20 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 →