Geography and Cartography at California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
47
Base Case
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$32,198/yr (-16% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI
19.9x earnings multiple (7.4x out-of-state)
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 | $567K | $559K | $514K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 20.2x | 19.9x | 18.3x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 7.5x | 7.4x | 6.8x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 57% | 50% | 37% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 47 | 47 | 49 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$28,032
Out-of-state: $75,552 (7.4x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$18,000
6.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$54,468
69% growth from Year 1
About California State University-Long Beach
With a 47% acceptance rate, California State University-Long Beach is moderately selective, one of the larger campuses at 34,131 students in Long Beach, CA. With 49% of students on Pell Grants, the campus draws from a broad economic spectrum.
See all programs and financial aid at California State University-Long Beach →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Geographers
$97,200/yr
Geography teachers, postsecondary
$86,730/yr
Compare & Explore
Geography and Cartography at Other Schools
Other Majors at California State University-Long Beach
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
What does a 47/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at California State University-Long Beach?
At 47/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Geography and Cartography programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at California State University-Long Beach?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is California State University-Long Beach a good choice for Geography and Cartography despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If California State University-Long Beach's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →