Geography and Cartographyat Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Graduates earn $26,701/yr in their first year — about 30.0% below the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $399K; scenarios range from $395K to $387K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at Rutgers
The financial outcomes you're seeing for Rutgers' Geography and Cartography program highlight a common challenge for broad liberal arts degrees without explicit career pipelines. While geography provides a strong foundational understanding of spatial relationships and data, the job market often demands highly specialized technical skills beyond general mapping. Many roles that utilize geographic knowledge, particularly in competitive markets like New Jersey, are in fields like urban planning, environmental consulting, or data science, requiring a deep dive into GIS, remote sensing, or statistical analysis.
The high AI risk also reflects how traditional cartography tasks are increasingly automated, shifting demand towards more complex analytical and problem-solving roles. To thrive with this degree, you'll need to aggressively pursue internships, acquire advanced certifications in specific geospatial technologies, or consider a dual major in a complementary, in-demand field like computer science, data analytics, or environmental engineering, ensuring your skillset is directly aligned with industry needs upon 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 Rutgers'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 Rutgers stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at Rutgers
Other highest-scoring programs offered at Rutgers, 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 Rutgers
What does a 27/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
At 27/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Geography and Cartography programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at Rutgers University-New Brunswick?
The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.
Is Rutgers University-New Brunswick a good choice for Geography and Cartography despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Rutgers University-New Brunswick's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.