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Geography and Cartography at The University of Alabama

Tuscaloosa, AL · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $40,546/yr (6% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 11.6x earnings multiple (4.2x out-of-state)

Ranked #32 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 50%

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	$561K	$553K	$509K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	11.8x	11.6x	10.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	4.2x	4.2x	3.8x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	51	51	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$47,600

Out-of-state: $132,800 (4.2x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$88,600

-86% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$19,750

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$57,002

41% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

The University of Alabama's Geography and Cartography graduates start at $40,546/yr — above the $38,355 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 11.6x 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 9% gap from the optimistic case.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $19,750 in median debt clears quickly against $40,546 in annual earnings.

At #32 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs, The University of Alabama scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Earnings grow from $40,546 to $57,002 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.

About The University of Alabama

A 76% acceptance rate means The University of Alabama is accessible to most applicants, with 32,323 students enrolled in Tuscaloosa, AL.

See all programs and financial aid at The University of Alabama →

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 The University of Alabama

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at The University of Alabama?

A score of 51/100 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 $509,376 in decade earnings vs $560,821 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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