by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 420 U.S. colleges awarded 7,459 degrees and certificates in Geography & Cartography. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 50% of graduates. College Factual ranks 169 schools in its 2027 Best Geography & Cartography Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $44,342 one year after completing, rising to $63,861 after four years.
If you're fascinated by maps, geography and the climate of different regions a major in Geography and Cartography could be perfect for you. This study will involve exploring Physical Geography: mountain ranges, soil, water, and climate. Another aspect is Human or Cultural Geography which involves the study of how humans use the land and space given to us. In addition to those studies, you will also learn Cartography and how to make maps using GPS technology, computers, photographs, and mathematics.
Your classes will cover many different topics including geographic methods, environmental change, cartography, climatology, geology, statistics, research methods, air pollution meteorology, and environmental remote sensing.
Studying Geography & Cartography involves the study of Geography And Cartography.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., geography & cartography draws strong interest, with 7,459 degrees awarded annually. 420 colleges award geography & cartography degrees, an average of 18 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 248.
By level, the 7,459 awards include 179 certificates, 408 associate degrees, 2,866 bachelor’s degrees, 3,723 master’s degrees and 146 doctorates.
Women earned 44% of geography & cartography degrees and certificates in the latest year (3,305 of 7,459). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (4,800) and Hispanic or Latino (972), and international students earned 503.
College Factual ranks 169 schools in its 2027 Best Geography & Cartography Schools ranking, including 9 for associate degrees, 82 for bachelor’s degrees, 37 for master’s degrees and 2 for doctorates. It also ranks geography & cartography schools within 36 states. In all, 420 colleges offer geography & cartography programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Geography & Cartography Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common geography & cartography credential is the master’s degree: 3,723 of the 7,459 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to geography & cartography call most for Reading Comprehension, Speaking and Writing, and for knowledge of English Language, Education and Training and Law and Government, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Oral Comprehension.
Accuracy and attention to detail is critical in this field. You will need to complete accurate research with the appropriate data to create developmental plans or maps. Students in this field should be strong in math and science. You will spend a lot of hours in the computer lab researching and assembling data for written. A good sense of direction and spatial skills will also aid you.
Students should be creative problem solvers with the ability to think outside the box. You will work with many different people and perspectives and should be able to clearly explain thoughts and ideas to others. Many schools will require you to get experience in the field by working on an independent research project in the area that interests you the most.
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How long a geography & cartography degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 179 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 408 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,866 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,723 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 146 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to geography & cartography, at 43.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.3% |
| Doctoral degree | 23.8% |
| Master’s degree | 8.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.7% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
11 occupations are related to Geography & Cartography, with an average median salary of $104,828; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Compliance Director, Tests Superintendent, Recreation Facility Manager and Hotel Recreational Facilities Manager.
A degree in Geography and Cartography will allow you to become a geographer or a cartographer. You may also create maps using data gathered from social media.
Geographers study the land and human interactions as related to geography. The majority of geographers are employed by the federal government. Students with advanced degrees will have the best job prospects.
The occupation related to geography & cartography with the most projected jobs is Managers, All Other, at 468,025.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Geography Teachers, Postsecondary | 420,756 | -3.5% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
| Wind Energy Development Managers | 107,541 | 10.1% |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | 105,398 | -1.9% |
Geography & Cartography graduates earn a median $44,342 one year after completing their program, $63,861 after four years and $60,418 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $44,342 |
| 4 years | $63,861 |
| 5 years | $60,418 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to geography & cartography is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $123,658 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
| Managers, All Other | $95,684 |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | $77,828 |
Geography & Cartography includes 3 concentrations that together award 7,459 degrees a year; by graduates, the largest are Geographic Information Science and Cartography (4,145), Geography (2,991) and Geography, Other (323). It has 13 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 180,737 degrees a year; the largest are Economics (48,196), Political Science and Government (45,425) and Sociology (30,816). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 4,145 |
| Geography | 2,991 |
| Geography, Other | 323 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 48,196 |
| Political Science and Government | 45,425 |
| Sociology | 30,816 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,558 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 12,780 |
| Criminology | 10,920 |
| Anthropology | 10,836 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,820 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,300 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 574 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
