by our College Data Analytics TeamIf 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. Read on to learn the important information every geography & cartography major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering geography & cartography programs.
In the U.S., geography & cartography draws strong interest, with 7,105 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Geography & Cartography Schools ranking analyzes these 414 schools to determine the best overall colleges for geography & cartography students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of geography & cartography programs later in this article.
Programs in Geography & Cartography develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations geography & cartography graduates commonly enter.
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.
Skills built by a geography & cartography program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a geography & cartography major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several geography & cartography degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 102 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 363 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 2,952 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 3,394 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 173 |
People currently working in careers related to geography & cartography tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| 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% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in geography & cartography careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
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.
A degree in geography & cartography can lead to numerous career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to geography & cartography.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geography & cartography.
| 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% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of geography & cartography graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $43,758 |
| 4 years | $52,013 |
| 5 years | $59,913 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for geography & cartography graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers geography & cartography grads often go into.
| 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 |
With 414 different geography & cartography programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased geography & cartography school rankings to help you.
Those considering geography & cartography, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 3,577 |
| Geography | 3,315 |
| Geography, Other | 213 |
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Economics | 45,628 |
| Political Science and Government | 44,942 |
| Sociology | 31,380 |
| Social Sciences, General | 17,510 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 13,035 |
| Anthropology | 10,768 |
| Criminology | 10,365 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 1,942 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 1,343 |
| Sociology and Anthropology | 496 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
