Geography and Cartographyat Central Washington University
Graduates earn $23,553/yr in their first year — about 39.0% below the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $582K; scenarios range from $531K to $594K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Central Washington University
The earnings trajectory for this Central Washington University program reflects its regional context and the broad nature of geography degrees from public universities. Graduates often find initial roles in local government planning, environmental agencies, or utilities across the Pacific Northwest, where the demand for highly specialized, high-paying geospatial tech positions can be less intense than in major metropolitan hubs. While your foundational knowledge in cartography and GIS will be valuable, the Ellensburg labor market and typical recruitment pipelines lean towards generalist roles or positions within sectors that offer more moderate compensation. To boost your earning potential, actively pursue internships with state agencies or private firms in larger cities, and consider specializing through a GIS certificate or specific software expertise to stand out in a competitive job market.
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 Central Washington University'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 Central Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Central Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Central Washington University, 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 Central Washington University
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.