Geography and Cartographyat California State University-Fullerton
Graduates earn $26,040/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $571K; scenarios range from $522K to $581K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at CSU Fullerton
The data for CSU Fullerton's Geography and Cartography program highlights a common reality: while a degree provides foundational knowledge, career success often hinges on how you specialize and apply it within a regional market. Your earnings figures likely reflect a significant portion of graduates entering general analyst, planning, or environmental roles in Southern California, where initial salaries can be competitive but might not match those in tech-heavy or more specialized GIS hubs. Many leverage their skills in local government, logistics, or even market research, which are valuable but may not command top-tier wages early on. The high AI risk further suggests that mastering advanced, non-routine spatial analysis and data science techniques, beyond basic cartography, is crucial. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships that integrate technical GIS/remote sensing with business or environmental applications, differentiating yourself in a broad field.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Fullerton's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Geography and Cartography
How CSU Fullerton stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at CSU Fullerton
Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Fullerton, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Geography and Cartography offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Geography and Cartography trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Geography and Cartography at CSU Fullerton
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at California State University-Fullerton?
A score of 41/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography. Earnings, ROI, or AI risk factors are pulling the score down.
Will AI replace Geography and Cartography careers?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $522,454 in decade earnings vs $580,679 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
Can you still earn well with Geography and Cartography from California State University-Fullerton?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.