Geography and Cartography at Texas State University

San Marcos, TX · Public · Certificate

A 89% acceptance rate means Texas State University is accessible to most applicants, serving a student body of 34,547 in San Marcos, TX.

Program Analysis

Texas State University's Geography and Cartography graduates start at $44,270/yr — above the $40,902 national average, though not by a wide margin.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 40.5x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Geography and Cartography programs nationally.

Some AI exposure exists in Geography and Cartography's career paths, with 49% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 0% gap from the optimistic case.

Median debt of $25,385 represents roughly 7 months of the $44,270 starting salary — a manageable burden by trade school standards.

At #5 of 15 Geography and Cartography programs, Texas State University scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

Geography and Cartography offers 6 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

57 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
53
Low End
57
Score
59
High End
Earnings $44,270/yr (8% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$463K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
40.5x
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)
$11,450
Out-of-state: $23,210
Median Debt at Graduation
$25,385
6.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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

From day-one roles to senior positions, Geography and Cartography careers span a range of specializations. Read the complete outlook for graduates entering other programs.

Read the full Geography and Cartography career guide →

Compare & Explore

Geography and Cartography Overview

Geography and Cartography at Other Schools

Trade Certificate vs. Bachelor's Degree

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 57/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Geography and Cartography at Texas State University?
This program scores 57/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography graduates.
Should I worry about AI if I study Geography and Cartography at Texas State University?
AI won't eliminate Geography and Cartography careers, but it may reshape them. At Texas State University, a score of 57/100 already accounts for the 49% task exposure — the ROI calculation factors in reduced employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Geography and Cartography?
Beyond Texas State University's classroom route, 6 registered apprenticeships map to Geography and Cartography careers — including Chief Of Party (Prof & Kin). Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Is there demand for Geography and Cartography workers?
At 115,700 annual openings, Geography and Cartography has a very large employment base. Texas State University graduates benefit from broad demand, particularly given consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →