Geography and Cartographyat Ohio State University-Main Campus
Graduates earn $44,789/yr in their first year — about 17.0% above the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $582K; scenarios range from $531K to $593K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Ohio State
At $44,789 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from Ohio State University-Main Campus earn slightly above the $38,355 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.3x 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.
The median debt load of $20,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #17 of 95 nationally, this is a top-5% Geography and Cartography program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.
Earnings grow from $44,789 to $62,445 over five years — a 39% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
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 Ohio State'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 Ohio State stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Ohio State
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Ohio State, 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 Ohio State
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at Ohio State University-Main Campus?
A score of 56/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Geography and Cartography field.
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 $530,614 in decade earnings vs $593,067 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Ohio State University-Main Campus's Geography and Cartography program stand out?
Ranked #17 of 95 programs nationally, Ohio State University-Main Campus lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.