Geography and Cartography at University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs, CO · Public · Bachelor's Degree
46 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
47
Optimistic
46
Base Case
47
Pessimistic
Earnings $36,426/yr (-5% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.6x earnings multiple (6.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #50 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 $533K $529K $491K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 13.7x 13.6x 12.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.5x 6.5x 6.0x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 47 46 47

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,848
Out-of-state: $81,968 (6.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$65,724
-69% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$17,500
5.8 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,181
43% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

University of Colorado Colorado Springs's Geography and Cartography program produces graduates earning $36,426/yr — within striking distance of the $38,355 national average for this field.

The 13.6x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $17,500 in median debt clears quickly against $36,426 in annual earnings.

At #50 out of 95 programs, University of Colorado Colorado Springs's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $36,426 to $52,181 shows 43% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Colorado Colorado Springs

A 97% acceptance rate means University of Colorado Colorado Springs is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 8,870 in Colorado Springs, CO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Colorado Colorado Springs →

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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs

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 University of Colorado Colorado Springs's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 46/100 — 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 →