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Social Sciences · Geography and Cartography Rank #1 of 95

Geography and Cartographyat California State University-Sacramento

Graduates earn $48,227/yr in their first year — about 26.0% above the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $602K; scenarios range from $545K to $615K depending on AI disruption.

Sacramento, CA Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
65 SOLID
66
Optimistic
61
Pessimistic
Earnings
$48,227
1-year post-graduation
ROI
20.8x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$602K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at CSU Sacramento

Sacramento's unique position as California's state capital significantly shapes the career landscape for Geography and Cartography graduates, creating a robust local demand for your skills. State agencies, planning departments, environmental consulting firms, and utility companies constantly seek professionals adept at geospatial analysis, mapping, and data interpretation for urban development, resource management, and policy-making. This program's success likely stems from its practical, applied approach, equipping you with highly marketable GIS, remote sensing, and spatial data science expertise that translates directly into these roles. You’ll find opportunities to manage projects, analyze complex geographical trends, or specialize in cartographic production. To maximize your potential, actively pursue internships within these local organizations to build your professional network and tailor your skills to specific industry needs.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$545K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score61/100
Earnings Multiple17.9x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$602K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score65/100
Earnings Multiple19.8x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$615K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score66/100
Earnings Multiple20.2x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to CSU Sacramento's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Geography and Cartography graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Geographers
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$97,200/yr
High
3
Geography teachers, postsecondary
+3.3% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$86,730/yr
Moderate
4
Cartographers and photogrammetrists
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$78,380/yr
High
5
Surveying and mapping technicians
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 7,600 openings/yr
$51,940/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geography and Cartography

How CSU Sacramento stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Park University
MO · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
8.0x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Top score
Texas A & M University-College Station
TX · Public
63
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
12.6x
ROI
University of Nevada-Reno
NV · Public
56
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
13.8x
ROI
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
Also at CSU Sacramento

Other top programs at CSU Sacramento

Other highest-scoring programs offered at CSU Sacramento, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Geography and Cartography at CSU Sacramento

What does a 65/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at California State University-Sacramento?

At 65/100, California State University-Sacramento's Geography and Cartography program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.

Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at California State University-Sacramento?

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-Sacramento one of the best schools for Geography and Cartography?

Among 95 Geography and Cartography programs, California State University-Sacramento's #1 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.