Home › Mitchell Technical College › Geography and Cartography

Geography and Cartography at Mitchell Technical College

Mitchell, SD · Public · Associate Degree

a compact campus enrolling 953 students in Mitchell, SD.

Program Analysis

Mitchell Technical College's Geography and Cartography program produces graduates earning $41,879/yr — within striking distance of the $40,902 national average for this trade.

The 33.1x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 14% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Geography and Cartography graduates.

At #9 out of 15 programs, Mitchell Technical College's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $41,879 to $49,666 over five years (19% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 6 registered apprenticeships mapped to Geography and Cartography, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

54 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
54
Score
56
High End
Earnings $41,879/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$511K
4.4% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
34.0x
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
$15,048
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,666
19% growth from Year 1

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

See the full career breakdown for Geography and Cartography — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Mitchell Technical College and 14 other schools.

Read the full Geography and Cartography career guide →

Compare & Explore

Geography and Cartography Overview

View all 15 schools offering Geography and Cartography →

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Minnesota State University-Mankato ($50,411) DePaul University ($47,464) Texas State University ($44,270) Florida Atlantic University ($42,833) University of Wisconsin-Whitewater ($42,580) Arizona State University Campus Immersion ($41,627) Arizona State University Digital Immersion ($41,627) University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown ($40,962)

Other Majors at Mitchell Technical College

Electromechanical Technology ($72,319) Electrical Installation ($60,565) Allied Health Professions ($58,960) Agricultural Mechanization ($55,301) Electrical Engineering Technology ($51,832) Environmental Technology ($50,685) Industrial Production Technology ($50,348) Electrical Installation ($49,794)

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

Compare Geography and Cartography degree programs on DegreeOutlook →

Weigh shorter time-to-career against higher earning ceilings. The numbers tell the story.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Mitchell Technical College's Geography and Cartography program score?
At 54/100, the score looks reasonable — but Geography and Cartography is a high-scoring trade overall. Compared to peers, this program's earnings and ROI fall below the median.
Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at Mitchell Technical College?
With 49% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $438,146 in decade earnings vs $511,174 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Geography and Cartography graduates?
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 Mitchell Technical College.
Is there demand for Geography and Cartography workers?
At 115,700 annual openings, Geography and Cartography has a very large employment base. Mitchell Technical College graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →