Geography and Cartography at San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
45
Base Case
44
Pessimistic
Earnings
$38,648/yr (1% vs median)
AI Risk
High (49% exposed)
Job Market
Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI
14.1x earnings multiple (5.8x out-of-state)
How AI Changes the Outlook
Three scenarios based on how aggressively AI disrupts the career paths available to Geography and Cartography graduates.
| Optimistic No Disruption |
Base Case Gradual AI |
Pessimistic Aggressive AI |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-Year Earnings | $465K | $468K | $446K |
| Earnings Multiple (In-State) | 14.0x | 14.1x | 13.4x |
| Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) | 5.8x | 5.8x | 5.5x |
| Probability of Field Employment | 57% | 50% | 37% |
| DegreeOutlook Score | 45 | 45 | 44 |
10-Year Earnings Projection
*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.
4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$33,160
Out-of-state: $80,680 (5.8x ROI)
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,999
4.7 months of Year 1 earnings
About San Diego State University
Admission to San Diego State University is competitive, with 34% of applicants accepted, with 33,654 students enrolled in San Diego, CA.
See all programs and financial aid at San Diego State University →Top Career Paths
Managers, all other
$136,550/yr
Geographers
$97,200/yr
Geography teachers, postsecondary
$86,730/yr
Compare & Explore
Geography and Cartography at Other Schools
Other Majors at San Diego State University
Explore the Trade Alternative
Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does San Diego State University's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 45/100 — 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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research.
See full methodology →