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Geography and Cartography at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Champaign, IL · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
42
Pessimistic
Earnings $42,214/yr (10% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 7.6x earnings multiple (3.5x out-of-state)
Ranked #62 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 $488K $488K $461K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 7.6x 7.6x 7.2x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 3.5x 3.5x 3.3x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 42

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$64,016
Out-of-state: $138,004 (3.5x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$60,804
5% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$24,623
7.0 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

At $42,214 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign earn slightly above the $38,355 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

At 7.6x the cost of in-state tuition, the ten-year earnings outlook represents a strong return. Not exceptional, but meaningfully positive.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 5% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $24,623 debt-to-$42,214 income ratio translates to about 7 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #62 out of 95 programs, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts 44% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 34,623 students enrolled in Champaign, IL.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign →

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

Compare this program → View all 95 schools offering Geography and Cartography →

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Park University ($58,786) Dartmouth College ($56,756) Texas A & M University-College Station ($54,204) University of Nevada-Reno ($53,079) George Washington University ($52,883) George Mason University ($49,568) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($49,267) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($49,267)

Other Majors at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Computer Science ($124,530) Computer and Information Sciences, General ($113,503) Mathematics and Computer Science ($109,843) Computer Engineering ($103,123) Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering ($86,483) Systems Engineering ($81,785) Nuclear Engineering ($81,134) Mechanical Engineering ($80,187)

Consider the Trade Route?

Compare Geography and Cartography trade programs on TradeSchoolWorth →

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 Illinois Urbana-Champaign's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 44/100 — 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 →