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Geography and Cartography at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Madison, WI · Public · Bachelor's Degree

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

Optimistic

Base Case

Pessimistic

Earnings $42,997/yr (12% vs median)

AI Risk High (49% exposed)

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

ROI 13.0x earnings multiple (3.6x out-of-state)

Ranked #18 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs Top 25%

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	$596K	$584K	$532K
Earnings Multiple (In-State)	13.3x	13.0x	11.9x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State)	3.7x	3.6x	3.3x
Probability of Field Employment	57%	50%	37%
DegreeOutlook Score	57	56	54

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$44,820

Out-of-state: $162,412 (3.6x ROI)

4-Year Net Price (After Aid)

$67,712

-51% less than sticker · See by income

Median Debt at Graduation

$18,689

5.2 months of Year 1 earnings

Reported Earnings (5 Year)

$62,158

45% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

At $42,997 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from University of Wisconsin-Madison earn slightly above the $38,355 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 13.0x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 11% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The median debt load of $18,689 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.

Ranked #18 out of 95 programs, University of Wisconsin-Madison's Geography and Cartography program lands in the top 5% — a strong signal of graduate success.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $42,997 to $62,158 shows 45% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

About University of Wisconsin-Madison

University of Wisconsin-Madison accepts 43% of applicants, balancing access with selectivity, with 35,665 students enrolled in Madison, WI.

See all programs and financial aid at University of Wisconsin-Madison →

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 Wisconsin-Madison

Consider the Trade Route?

Trade programs often mean less time in school, lower student debt, and hands-on career paths that tend to be more resilient to AI disruption.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does University of Wisconsin-Madison'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 Wisconsin-Madison rank so high for Geography and Cartography?

The #18 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.

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