Home › Central Washington University › Geography and Cartography

Geography and Cartography at Central Washington University

Ellensburg, WA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $23,553/yr (-39% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 15.8x earnings multiple (5.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #85 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs

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	$594K	$582K	$531K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	16.1x	15.8x	14.4x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	5.5x	5.4x	5.0x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	38	37	38

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$36,768

Out-of-state: $107,084 (5.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$58,860

-60% less than sticker · See by income

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$51,964

121% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $23,553 place Central Washington University below the $38,355 national median for Geography and Cartography — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 15.8x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Geography and Cartography programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Geography and Cartography's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 11% gap from the optimistic case.

Ranked #85 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs, Central Washington University falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $51,964 show a 121% jump from the $23,553 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration.

About Central Washington University

Central Washington University accepts 90% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 8,081 students in Ellensburg, WA.

See all programs and financial aid at Central Washington 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 Central Washington 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

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at Central Washington University?

A score of 37/100 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 $531,051 in decade earnings vs $593,731 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

Can you still earn well with Geography and Cartography from Central Washington University?

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.

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