Best institutions to study Geography
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the spatial distribution and interrelationships of people, natural resources, plant and animal life.
266 U.S. institutions graduated 2,786 Geography students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0701, a specialization of Geography and Cartography (CIP 45.07), and leads most directly to the Geographers occupation (BLS SOC 19-3092).
About Geography programs
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.
See also: 30.4401 - Geography and Environmental Studies.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Geography program, focusing on Geography and Cartography, provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the spatial distribution and interrelationships of people, natural resources, and ecosystems. This program is ideal for those interested in exploring how geographical factors influence social, economic, and environmental issues on a global scale.
Students in this program will acquire essential skills in cartographic methods, remote sensing, and spatial analysis. Coursework covers various aspects of geography, including historical, cultural, economic, and physical geography, equipping graduates with the knowledge to address real-world challenges in land-use planning and development.
Credentials awarded
What Geography graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree1,760 graduates / yr · 172 institutions63%
- Master's degree304 graduates / yr · 63 institutions11%
- Associate's degree265 graduates / yr · 70 institutions9.5%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate146 graduates / yr · 18 institutions5.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year140 graduates / yr · 24 institutions5.0%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship101 graduates / yr · 28 institutions3.6%
- Award of less than 12 weeks51 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.8%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years16 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
- Award of at least 2 but less than 4 academic years3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.1%
Graduates over time
Geography completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 6,667 |
| 2013 | 6,443 |
| 2014 | 6,317 |
| 2015 | 6,022 |
| 2016 | 5,897 |
| 2017 | 5,386 |
| 2018 | 5,383 |
| 2019 | 5,041 |
| 2020 | 5,114 |
| 2021 | 4,597 |
| 2022 | 4,134 |
| 2023 | 3,475 |
| 2024 | 3,112 |
| 2025 | 2,786 |
Top 50 institutions for Geography, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicAward of less than 12 weeksAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 103 | 91% | — | $43,856 |
| 2 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VAPublicBachelor's | 64 | 80% | — | $45,094 |
| 3 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 62 | 47% | — | $36,426 |
| 4 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 62 | 0% | — | $49,267 |
| 5 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 60 | 85% | — | $55,320 |
| 6 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 56 | 93% | — | $36,776 |
| 7 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 40 | 86% | — | $39,328 |
| 8 | San Diego State University San Diego, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 39 | 76% | — | $38,648 |
| 9 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 36 | 55% | — | $44,909 |
| 10 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 35 | 79% | — | $46,929 |
| 11 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TNPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 35 | 74% | — | $44,553 |
| 12 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearPost-degree cert.Master's | 34 | 75% | — | $38,726 |
| 13 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 33 | 68% | — | $49,267 |
| 14 | California State University - Long Beach Long Beach, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 32 | 69% | — | $32,198 |
| 15 | University of California - Santa Barbara Santa Barbara, CAPublicDoctoralBachelor'sMaster's | 32 | 83% | — | $37,398 |
| 16 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, COPublicBachelor's | 32 | 46% | — | $39,104 |
| 17 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 32 | 69% | — | $42,210 |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Whitewater, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 32 | 59% | — | $37,521 |
| 19 | Illinois State University Normal, ILPublicBachelor's | 31 | 65% | — | $34,952 |
| 20 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 31 | 67% | — | $44,380 |
| 21 | University of North Texas Denton, TXPublicBachelor's | 31 | 61% | — | $39,960 |
| 22 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicMaster'sBachelor's | 30 | 83% | — | — |
| 23 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 29 | 81% | $13,712 | $40,051 |
| 24 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CAPublicBachelor's | 28 | 56% | — | $48,227 |
| 25 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NCPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 91% | — | $42,454 |
| 26 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 28 | 84% | — | $54,204 |
| 27 | The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TXPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 28 | 89% | — | $36,878 |
| 28 | Park University Parkville, MOPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 27 | 38% | $16,013 | $58,786 |
| 29 | Portland State University Portland, ORPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 26 | 53% | — | $35,330 |
| 30 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 25 | 85% | — | $38,019 |
| 31 | Syracuse University Syracuse, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 23 | 84% | $28,851 | — |
| 32 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicBachelor'sPost-degree cert.Master's | 23 | 68% | — | $49,568 |
| 33 | California State University - Northridge Northridge, CAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 22 | 57% | — | $27,002 |
| 34 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CAPublicBachelor's | 22 | 58% | — | $40,614 |
| 35 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 21 | 68% | — | $42,829 |
| 36 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 86% | — | $35,608 |
| 37 | University of South Florida Tampa, FLPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 20 | 77% | — | $39,259 |
| 38 | Liberty University Lynchburg, VAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 20 | 65% | $28,911 | — |
| 39 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 65% | — | $29,931 |
| 40 | University of Georgia Athens, GAPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 90% | — | $26,801 |
| 41 | Pittsburg State University Pittsburg, KSPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 19 | 57% | — | — |
| 42 | Salisbury University Salisbury, MDPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 19 | 68% | — | $25,255 |
| 43 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 18 | 53% | — | — |
| 44 | Towson University Towson, MDPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 18 | 69% | — | — |
| 45 | University of New Mexico - Main Campus Albuquerque, NMPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 18 | 55% | — | $32,096 |
| 46 | University of Vermont Burlington, VTPublicBachelor's | 18 | 79% | — | $33,424 |
| 47 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GAPublicBachelor's | 18 | 52% | — | $40,020 |
| 48 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 71% | — | — |
| 49 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicBachelor'sMaster's | 17 | 61% | — | $37,844 |
| 50 | West Virginia University Morgantown, WVPublicMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 17 | 65% | — | $34,435 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Geography and Cartography field (CIP 45.07) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 48 states & territories
Where Geography graduates come from. Each state links to all Geography and Cartography programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3092, Geographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geography program can pursue careers as geographers, geography teachers, and surveying and mapping technicians. While the job outlook for geographers shows a decline of 3.1%, there are about 100 annual openings, with a median wage of $97,200 for those holding a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0701
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Geographersprimary SOC 19-3092 | $102,040 | -3.1% Decline | ~100 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Surveying and Mapping Technicians SOC 17-3031 | $54,240 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,600 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1064 | $97,590 | +3.3% About as fast as average | ~300 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Geography programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
- Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Teach geography.
- Write and present reports of research findings.
- Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
Tools and technology used
Other Geography and Cartography specializations
The 2 other 6-digit CIP codes under Geography and Cartography (CIP 45.07).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, Associate's degree, or a Postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, science, and geographic information systems.
What types of jobs can I get with a degree in Geography?+
You can work as a geographer, geography teacher, or in surveying and mapping.
What is the job outlook for geographers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with approximately 100 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Geography?+
Geography is CIP 45.0701 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geography and Cartography (CIP 45.07). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Geography programs?+
266 U.S. institutions reported Geography graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 48 states & territories, awarding 2,786 credentials in the year. That is 38.8% of all Geography and Cartography graduates.
How much do Geography graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Geographers occupation, which Geography most directly leads to, pays a median of $102,040 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Geography and Cartography field report median earnings of $38,784 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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