Geography and Cartographyat University of California-Los Angeles
Graduates earn $36,776/yr in their first year — about 4.0% below the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $655K; scenarios range from $585K to $676K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UCLA
A UCLA Geography and Cartography degree provides a strong analytical foundation, but your initial career trajectory might not immediately reflect the university's overall prestige in salary terms. The program's broad scope means graduates often enter diverse fields like urban planning, environmental consulting, or data analysis, where compensation growth can be more gradual. Los Angeles's highly competitive job market also means distinguishing yourself is key. While you'll gain excellent spatial analysis and GIS skills, many entry-level cartography tasks are becoming increasingly automated. To truly leverage this degree and mitigate future AI risk, focus heavily on developing advanced data science skills, particularly in predictive modeling or machine learning applications within a spatial context. This specialization will open doors to higher-paying roles in tech, logistics, or government agencies that value sophisticated analytical capabilities.
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 UCLA'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 UCLA stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UCLA
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UCLA, 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 UCLA
How does University of California-Los Angeles's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 51/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography graduates.
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.