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Geography and Cartography at San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA · Public · Bachelor's Degree

DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $24,875/yr (-35% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

ROI 18.9x earnings multiple (7.3x out-of-state)

Ranked #75 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs

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	$569K	$560K	$515K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	19.2x	18.9x	17.3x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	7.4x	7.3x	6.7x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	39	39	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

*Year 1 uses actual reported earnings. Scenarios diverge as AI impact compounds over time.

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$29,696

Out-of-state: $77,216 (7.3x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$51,528

-74% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$16,359

7.9 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$50,547

103% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $24,875 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from San Francisco State University earn below the $38,355 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 18.9x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 10% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $16,359 debt-to-$24,875 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #75 out of 95 programs, San Francisco State University's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $24,875 to $50,547 over five years (103% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About San Francisco State University

With 96% of applicants admitted, San Francisco State University prioritizes broad access, one of the larger campuses at 20,033 students in San Francisco, CA. 41% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at San Francisco State University →

Top Career Paths

Managers, all other $136,550/yr

Geographers $97,200/yr

Geography teachers, postsecondary $86,730/yr

View all 5 career paths with salary ranges and AI risk →

Compare & Explore

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Other Majors at San Francisco State University

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Francisco State University's Geography and Cartography program score?

This program scores 39/100 — 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 San Francisco State University?

Lower starting pay at San Francisco State University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →