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Geography and Cartography at University of South Carolina-Columbia

Columbia, SC · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $46,929/yr (22% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 10.3x earnings multiple (3.7x out-of-state)

Ranked #29 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 50%

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	$525K	$521K	$486K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	10.3x	10.3x	9.6x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.8x	3.7x	3.5x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	53	52	49

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$50,752

Out-of-state: $139,736 (3.7x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$98,128

-93% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$21,500

5.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$53,719

14% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

Graduates earn $46,929/yr, edging above the $38,355 national average for Geography and Cartography — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand.

Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 10.3x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Geography and Cartography programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Geography and Cartography's typical career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 7% gap from the optimistic case.

At $21,500 in median debt against $46,929 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance in under six months of full earnings.

At #29 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs, University of South Carolina-Columbia scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Five-year earnings of $53,719 are relatively flat compared to the $46,929 starting salary — typical of fields with stable but capped salary bands.

About University of South Carolina-Columbia

With a 61% acceptance rate, University of South Carolina-Columbia is moderately selective, serving a student body of 28,113 in Columbia, SC.

See all programs and financial aid at University of South Carolina-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 South Carolina-Columbia

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 is the DegreeOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at University of South Carolina-Columbia?

A score of 52/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Geography and Cartography field.

Will AI replace Geography and Cartography careers?

With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $485,529 in decade earnings vs $524,601 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.

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