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Geography and Cartography at University of Missouri-Columbia

Columbia, MO · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $38,726/yr (1% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 8.3x earnings multiple (3.4x out-of-state)

Ranked #69 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	$465K	$468K	$446K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	8.2x	8.3x	7.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.4x	3.4x	3.2x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	42	41	40

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$56,520

Out-of-state: $137,352 (3.4x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$79,556

-41% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,786

5.8 months of Year 1 earnings

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,726 track close to the $38,355 national median for Geography and Cartography programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

At 8.3x 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 4% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

At $18,786 in median debt against $38,726 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #69 out of 95 programs, University of Missouri-Columbia's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

About University of Missouri-Columbia

University of Missouri-Columbia has a 77% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving a student body of 23,118 in Columbia, MO.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Missouri-Columbia →

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 Missouri-Columbia

Explore the Trade Alternative

Not every career requires a four-year degree. Trade programs in related fields can offer competitive salaries with a fraction of the student loan burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Missouri-Columbia's Geography and Cartography program score?

This program scores 41/100 — 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 →