Best institutions to study Geography
Any instructional program in geography not listed above.
23 U.S. institutions graduated 323 Geography students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0799, a specialization of Geography and Cartography (CIP 45.07), and leads most directly to the Geographers occupation (BLS SOC 19-3092).
About Geography programs
Any instructional program in geography not listed above.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Geography program, specifically under the Geography and Cartography umbrella, offers an educational path for students interested in understanding spatial relationships and the physical and human aspects of the world. This program is designed for those who seek to analyze geographic data and apply it in various contexts, from urban planning to environmental management.
Students in this program develop essential skills in writing, critical thinking, and data analysis, alongside knowledge in geography, sociology, and technology. Coursework often includes creating maps and utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) to interpret and present geographic data effectively.
Credentials awarded
What Geography graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year114 graduates / yr · 11 institutions35%
- Master's degree72 graduates / yr · 2 institutions22%
- Bachelor's degree57 graduates / yr · 6 institutions18%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate56 graduates / yr · 6 institutions17%
- Award of less than 12 weeks17 graduates / yr · 1 institution5.3%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship3 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.9%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
- Associate's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.6%
Graduates over time
Geography completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 435 |
| 2013 | 440 |
| 2014 | 478 |
| 2015 | 407 |
| 2016 | 492 |
| 2017 | 508 |
| 2018 | 493 |
| 2019 | 527 |
| 2020 | 359 |
| 2021 | 335 |
| 2022 | 297 |
| 2023 | 212 |
| 2024 | 213 |
| 2025 | 323 |
Top 23 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 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicMaster's | 67 | 34% | — | $46,477 |
| 2 | Duke University Durham, NCPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 41 | 97% | $16,260 | $63,356 |
| 3 | Portland Community College Portland, ORPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 39 | 18% | — | $38,714 |
| 4 | United States Air Force Academy USAF Academy, COPublicBachelor's | 26 | 88% | — | — |
| 5 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicBachelor'sDoctoral | 21 | 75% | — | $30,645 |
| 6 | University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg, VAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 66% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NVPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 17 | 61% | — | $53,079 |
| 8 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 17 | 56% | — | $38,439 |
| 9 | Montgomery College Rockville, MDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 32% | — | — |
| 10 | Louisiana Tech University Ruston, LAPublicBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 11 | Samford University Birmingham, ALPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 77% | $28,160 | — |
| 12 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 7 | 47% | — | $36,426 |
| 13 | University of Maine at Farmington Farmington, MEPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearBachelor's | 7 | 52% | — | — |
| 14 | University of Southern Maine Portland, MEPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 40% | — | — |
| 15 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 5 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 16 | Arkansas Tech University Russellville, ARPublicBachelor's | 4 | 49% | — | — |
| 17 | Nunez Community College Chalmette, LAPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAssociate's | 4 | 27% | — | — |
| 18 | University of Wisconsin - Superior Superior, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 42% | — | — |
| 19 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 43% | — | — |
| 20 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 56% | — | — |
| 21 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 65% | — | $41,052 |
| 22 | Brigham Young University Provo, UTPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 81% | $13,712 | $40,051 |
| 23 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 67% | — | $44,380 |
* 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 15 states
Where Geography graduates come from. Each state links to all Geography and Cartography programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 5 | 113 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus67 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 41 | Duke University41 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 39 | Portland Community College39 / yr |
| Colorado | 2 | 33 | United States Air Force Academy26 / yr |
| Virginia | 1 | 20 | University of Mary Washington20 / yr |
| Nevada | 1 | 17 | University of Nevada - Reno17 / yr |
| Maine | 2 | 13 | University of Maine at Farmington7 / yr |
| Louisiana | 2 | 12 | Louisiana Tech University8 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 11 | Montgomery College11 / yr |
| Alabama | 1 | 7 | Samford University7 / yr |
| Utah | 2 | 5 | University of Utah3 / yr |
| Arkansas | 1 | 4 | Arkansas Tech University4 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 4 | University of Wisconsin - Superior4 / yr |
| Georgia | 1 | 3 | University of West Georgia3 / yr |
| New Jersey | 1 | 1 | Rowan University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3092, Geographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates from the Geography program can pursue careers as geographers, geography teachers, or in various management roles. While the job outlook indicates a decline of 3.1%, there are approximately 100 annual openings, with a median wage of $97,200 for geographers, typically requiring at least a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0799
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 |
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 an award of at least 12 weeks, a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, or a postbaccalaureate certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, and data analysis, among others.
What careers can I pursue with this degree?+
You can work as a geographer, geography teacher, or in various management roles.
What is the job outlook for geographers?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with about 100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Geography?+
Geography is CIP 45.0799 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Geography and Cartography (CIP 45.07). NCES defines it as: Any instructional program in geography not listed above.
How many institutions offer Geography programs?+
23 U.S. institutions reported Geography graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 323 credentials in the year. That is 4.5% 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 $41,052 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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