by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 268 U.S. colleges awarded 2,991 degrees and certificates in Geography. Bachelor’s degrees are the most popular award, at 66% of graduates. College Factual ranks 84 schools in its 2027 Best Geography 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.
Studying Geography explores Geography. A Program That Focuses On The Systematic Study Of The Spatial Distribution And Interrelationships Of People, Natural Resources, Plant And Animal Life. Includes Instruction In Historical And Political Geography, Cultural Geography, Economic And Physical Geography, Regional Science, Cartographic Methods, Remote Sensing, Spatial Analysis, And Applications To Areas Such As Land-Use Planning, Development Studies, And Analyses Of Specific Countries, Regions, And Resources. Examples: [Environmental Geography], [Physical Geography], [Social Geography].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., geography is a widely-pursued major, with 2,991 degrees awarded annually. 268 colleges award geography degrees, an average of 11 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 103.
By level, the 2,991 awards include 19 certificates, 265 associate degrees, 1,964 bachelor’s degrees, 590 master’s degrees and 102 doctorates.
Women earned 45% of geography degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,339 of 2,991). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (1,904) and Hispanic or Latino (478), and international students earned 143.
College Factual ranks 84 schools in its 2027 Best Geography Schools ranking, including 5 for associate degrees, 65 for bachelor’s degrees, 10 for master’s degrees and 1 for doctorates. It also ranks geography schools within 30 states. In all, 268 colleges offer geography programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Geography Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common geography credential is the bachelor’s degree: 1,964 of the 2,991 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to geography 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.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a geography degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 19 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 265 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 1,964 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 590 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 102 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to geography, at 43.5%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 43.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 24.1% |
| Master’s degree | 8.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.0% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.3% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 3.1% |
| Some college courses | 2.6% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 2.1% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.3% |
Source: O*NET Online.
10 occupations are related to Geography, with an average median salary of $109,634; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Compliance Director, Safety Manager, Planning Coordinator and Armored Transport Service Manager.
The occupation related to geography 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 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 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 has 2 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 4,468 degrees a year; the largest are Geographic Information Science and Cartography (4,145) and Geography, Other (323). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 4,145 |
| Geography, Other | 323 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
