Home Schools University of Alabama Geography and Cartography
Social Sciences · Geography and Cartography Rank #32 of 95

Geography and Cartographyat The University of Alabama

Graduates earn $40,546/yr in their first year — about 6.0% above the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $553K; scenarios range from $509K to $561K depending on AI disruption.

Tuscaloosa, AL Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
51 AVERAGE
51
Optimistic
49
Pessimistic
Earnings
$40,546
1-year post-graduation
ROI
11.0x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$553K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of Alabama

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.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$509K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score49/100
Earnings Multiple10.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$553K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple11.6x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$561K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score51/100
Earnings Multiple11.8x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of Alabama's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Geography and Cartography graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Geographers
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$97,200/yr
High
3
Geography teachers, postsecondary
+3.3% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$86,730/yr
Moderate
4
Cartographers and photogrammetrists
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$78,380/yr
High
5
Surveying and mapping technicians
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 7,600 openings/yr
$51,940/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geography and Cartography

How University of Alabama stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Park University
MO · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
8.0x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Texas A & M University-College Station
TX · Public
63
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
12.6x
ROI
University of Nevada-Reno
NV · Public
56
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
13.8x
ROI
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
Also at University of Alabama

Other top programs at University of Alabama

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Alabama, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Geography and Cartography at University of Alabama

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.