Geography and Cartography at Minnesota State University-Mankato

Mankato, MN · Public · Certificate

Minnesota State University-Mankato accepts 91% of applicants — an open-access institution by design, enrolling 11,325 students in Mankato, MN.

Program Analysis

At $50,411 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from Minnesota State University-Mankato earn slightly above the $40,902 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

With a 55.6x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Geography and Cartography career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.

Minnesota State University-Mankato ranks #2 among 15 Geography and Cartography programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

The 6 apprenticeship pathways connected to Geography and Cartography reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

63 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
58
Low End
63
Score
65
High End
Earnings $50,411/yr (23% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$527K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
55.6x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
5 of 5
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$9,490
Out-of-state: $18,860

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Geography and Cartography graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Geographers $97,200 -3.1% 50%
Geography teachers, postsecondary $86,730 +3.3% 52%
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof
Geographers
$97,200
-3.1% growth 50% AI-proof
Geography teachers, postsecondary
$86,730
+3.3% growth 52% AI-proof

View all 5 career paths with full salary data →

Geography and Cartography Career Guide

What can you do with a Geography and Cartography credential from Minnesota State University-Mankato? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Geography and Cartography career guide →

Compare & Explore

Geography and Cartography Overview

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Other Majors at Minnesota State University-Mankato

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Geography and Cartography at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
This program scores 63/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography graduates.
How vulnerable is Geography and Cartography to AI automation?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $527,410 in decade earnings vs $527,410 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Minnesota State University-Mankato's Geography and Cartography program stand out?
Ranked #2 of 15 programs nationally, Minnesota State University-Mankato lands in the top 25%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
Should I consider an apprenticeship over a Geography and Cartography program at Minnesota State University-Mankato?
Yes — 6 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Geography and Cartography career paths, including Chief Of Party (Prof & Kin). Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at Minnesota State University-Mankato.
What's the job market like for Geography and Cartography from Minnesota State University-Mankato?
The very large job market (115,700 annual openings) works in favor of Geography and Cartography graduates. The national outlook is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth, though regional variation matters.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →