Home Schools University of North Carolina at Greensboro Geography and Cartography
Social Sciences · Geography and Cartography Rank #79 of 95

Geography and Cartographyat University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Graduates earn $25,975/yr in their first year — about 32.0% below the national Geography and Cartography average. Base-case 10-year earnings $550K; scenarios range from $507K to $557K depending on AI disruption.

Greensboro, NC Public Bachelor's Degree
DegreeOutlook Score
38 AT RISK
39
Optimistic
41
Pessimistic
Earnings
$25,975
1-year post-graduation
ROI
15.5x
Earnings : in-state tuition
10-yr Base
$550K
Cumulative base-case earnings
AI Risk
High
53% task exposure
Program Analysis

What this degree looks like at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Your earnings trajectory with a Geography and Cartography degree from UNCG reflects regional labor market realities and the evolving nature of the field. Greensboro's economy offers a good foundation in local government, planning, and environmental sectors, but it's not a major hub for high-paying geospatial tech firms. Many graduates find roles in these local organizations, where compensation scales differently than in larger tech-centric markets.

The high AI risk for this field suggests that many foundational mapping and data collection tasks are increasingly automated. To truly stand out and command higher salaries, you'll need to cultivate advanced analytical and programming skills, moving beyond traditional cartography into areas like geospatial data science, remote sensing interpretation, or custom GIS application development. Actively pursue internships that expose you to these cutting-edge applications to ensure your skills remain valuable and future-proof.

AI Outlook Integration

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.

Pessimistic
Mass Automation
$507K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score41/100
Earnings Multiple16.7x
Base Case
Moderate Integration
$550K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score38/100
Earnings Multiple18.1x
Optimistic
AI Augmentation
$557K
10-year cumulative earnings
Scenario Score39/100
Earnings Multiple18.3x
Earnings Trajectory

10 year projection

Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to University of North Carolina at Greensboro's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.

Career Paths

Where Geography and Cartography graduates typically work

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.

1
Managers, all other
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 106,700 openings/yr
$136,550/yr
Moderate
2
Geographers
-3.1% 10-yr growth · 100 openings/yr
$97,200/yr
High
3
Geography teachers, postsecondary
+3.3% 10-yr growth · 300 openings/yr
$86,730/yr
Moderate
4
Cartographers and photogrammetrists
+6.4% 10-yr growth · 1,000 openings/yr
$78,380/yr
High
5
Surveying and mapping technicians
+4.5% 10-yr growth · 7,600 openings/yr
$51,940/yr
High
Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics, May 2024. AI exposure from OpenAI GPTs-are-GPTs and Felten AIOE research.
Compare & Explore

Peer schools offering Geography and Cartography

How University of North Carolina at Greensboro stacks up against other schools offering this major.

Highest earnings
Park University
MO · Private nonprofit
53
DW Score
$59K
1-yr earn
8.0x
ROI
Dartmouth College
NH · Private nonprofit
45
DW Score
$57K
1-yr earn
1.2x
ROI
Texas A & M University-College Station
TX · Public
63
DW Score
$54K
1-yr earn
12.6x
ROI
University of Nevada-Reno
NV · Public
56
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
13.8x
ROI
George Washington University
DC · Private nonprofit
44
DW Score
$53K
1-yr earn
1.0x
ROI
Also at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Other top programs at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Other highest-scoring programs offered at University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 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 →
FAQ

Frequently asked about Geography and Cartography at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

What does a 38/100 DegreeOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at University of North Carolina at Greensboro?

At 38/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Geography and Cartography programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.

Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at University of North Carolina at Greensboro?

The 49% AI task exposure score is above average. Our model shows this affecting job availability more than salaries — graduates may face stiffer competition for fewer positions.

Is University of North Carolina at Greensboro a good choice for Geography and Cartography despite lower starting pay?

Starting salary is one data point. If University of North Carolina at Greensboro's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.