Geography and Cartographyat Macalester College
Graduates earn $30,053/yr in their first year — about 22.0% below the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $591K; scenarios range from $538K to $604K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Macalester College
A Geography and Cartography degree from Macalester offers a rich liberal arts education, emphasizing critical thinking and spatial analysis. However, the career landscape for this specific degree, particularly from a generalist liberal arts program rather than a more vocational polytechnic, presents unique challenges. The Twin Cities market, while robust, doesn't have a high demand for traditional cartography roles, which are also increasingly susceptible to AI automation. Many graduates leverage these skills in broader fields like urban planning, environmental consulting, or data visualization, often after gaining additional technical proficiencies or pursuing graduate studies. Your initial earning potential may reflect this generalist foundation rather than direct, high-paying specialization. To maximize your prospects, actively seek internships that apply your spatial analysis skills in data-intensive environments and consider pairing your studies with advanced GIS, programming, or data science coursework to build a more direct bridge to in-demand careers.
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 Macalester College'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 Macalester College stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Macalester College
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Macalester College, 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 Macalester College
How does Macalester College's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 23/100 — on the lower end for Geography and Cartography. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
How vulnerable is Geography and Cartography to AI automation?
AI won't 'replace' Geography and Cartography careers outright, but it is likely to reduce the number of job openings. We model 49% task exposure, which compresses field employment probability in our scenarios.
Why are Geography and Cartography earnings lower at Macalester College?
Lower starting pay at Macalester College may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
How affordable is Geography and Cartography at Macalester College after financial aid?
Sticker price is $259,632, but the average net cost is $119,920 — a 54% discount. For students who qualify for aid, this program is considerably more affordable than it appears.