Geography and Cartographyat University of Nevada-Reno
Graduates earn $53,079/yr in their first year — about 38.0% above the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $551K; scenarios range from $508K to $558K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at University of Nevada-Reno
The strong earnings for UNR's Geography and Cartography graduates reflect Reno's booming regional economy, which has a significant demand for advanced spatial analysis and mapping skills. The program's emphasis on cartography likely provides a robust technical foundation in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), making graduates highly competitive. You'll find opportunities not just with traditional government planning or environmental agencies, but increasingly with large tech and logistics companies establishing operations in the "Tahoe Reno Industrial Center," like Switch data centers or manufacturing facilities that require sophisticated site planning, supply chain optimization, and resource management. These roles often evolve into project management or specialized analyst positions with significant responsibility. To maximize your potential, focus on developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills alongside your technical expertise. While some mapping tasks face AI risk, your ability to interpret complex spatial data, create strategic insights, and manage projects will remain invaluable, ensuring your career trajectory continues upward.
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 University of Nevada-Reno'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 University of Nevada-Reno stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at University of Nevada-Reno
Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of Nevada-Reno, 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 University of Nevada-Reno
How does University of Nevada-Reno's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 56/100, 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.
Why does University of Nevada-Reno rank so high for Geography and Cartography?
The #16 ranking out of 95 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable relative to income, and the job market supports the field.