Geography and Cartography at University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Greensboro, NC · Public · Bachelor's Degree
38 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
39
Optimistic
38
Base Case
41
Pessimistic
Earnings $25,975/yr (-32% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 18.1x earnings multiple (5.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #79 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs

Program Analysis

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.

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 $557K $550K $507K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 18.3x 18.1x 16.7x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 6.0x 5.9x 5.4x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 39 38 41

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$30,372
Out-of-state: $93,356 (5.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$40,680
-34% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$19,500
9.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,081
93% growth from Year 1

About University of North Carolina at Greensboro

A 90% acceptance rate means University of North Carolina at Greensboro is accessible to most applicants, with a mid-sized student body of 13,848 in Greensboro, NC. 47% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating strong socioeconomic diversity.

See all programs and financial aid at University of North Carolina at Greensboro →

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 North Carolina at Greensboro

Is a Trade Program a Better Fit?

For students who prefer applied learning, trade programs can deliver strong earnings with significantly less debt and shorter time to employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →