Geography and Cartography at West Virginia University

Morgantown, WV · Public · Bachelor's Degree
44 /100
DegreeOutlook Score (Base Case) — assumes in-state tuition
45
Optimistic
44
Base Case
46
Pessimistic
Earnings $34,435/yr (-10% vs median)
AI Risk High (49% exposed)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)
ROI 13.8x earnings multiple (4.9x out-of-state)
Ranked #65 of 95 Geography and Cartography programs

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 $539K $534K $495K
Earnings Multiple (In-State) 14.0x 13.8x 12.8x
Earnings Multiple (Out-of-State) 4.9x 4.9x 4.5x
Probability of Field Employment 57% 50% 37%
DegreeOutlook Score 45 44 46

10-Year Earnings Projection

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

4-Year Tuition, In-State (Sticker)
$38,592
Out-of-state: $109,440 (4.9x ROI)
4-Year Net Price (After Aid)
$51,988
-35% less than sticker · See by income
Median Debt at Graduation
$23,089
8.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$52,226
52% growth from Year 1

Program Analysis

West Virginia University's Geography and Cartography program produces graduates earning $34,435/yr — within striking distance of the $38,355 national average for this field.

The 13.8x 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 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.

The $23,089 debt-to-$34,435 income ratio translates to about 8 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.

At #65 out of 95 programs, West Virginia University's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth from $34,435 to $52,226 over five years (52% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.

About West Virginia University

A 86% acceptance rate means West Virginia University is accessible to most applicants, serving 17,705 students in Morgantown, WV.

See all programs and financial aid at West Virginia University →

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 West Virginia University

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

How does West Virginia University's Geography and Cartography program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Geography and Cartography. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
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.
Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →