Geography and Cartographyat George Washington University
Graduates earn $52,883/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $507K to $557K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at George Washington University
Your strong earnings potential in Geography and Cartography at GWU is heavily influenced by its prime location in Washington, D.C. The nation's capital is a unique hub for federal agencies like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the Census Bureau, and numerous defense contractors and international organizations. These entities have an insatiable demand for geospatial intelligence analysts, GIS specialists, and cartographers who can interpret complex data for policy, national security, and environmental planning.
This specialized labor market creates direct pipelines for GWU graduates into roles that often blend advanced technical skills with project management or strategic analysis, rather than just basic mapping. You’ll find opportunities in areas like satellite imagery analysis, urban planning, environmental modeling, or even advising on international development projects. To truly leverage this advantage, seek out internships with government agencies or private contractors early in your program; these connections are invaluable for securing high-paying, impactful careers post-graduation.
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 George 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 George Washington University stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at George Washington University
Other highest-scoring programs offered at George 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 George Washington University
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at George Washington University?
A score of 44/100 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 $506,940 in decade earnings vs $557,118 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.