undergraduate
Geography
Best schools with geography
What is a geography major?
The study of geography concentrates on the spatial distribution and interrelationships of people, natural resources, plant and animal life. Course instruction includes: 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.
of students said a highlight of this major was the exposure to diverse perspectives.
of students said they were motivated to select this major because it fit their passion & interest.
of students and alumni plan on being or are currently employed in an occupation related to this major.
How much do geography majors make?
median average salary
$70,000/yr
The national average salary for geography graduates in the United States is $70,000 per year. Those in the top 10 percent make over $150,000 a year, while the bottom 10 percent make under $24,000 a year. While salary ranges can vary by role, industry, and location, geography graduates typically make between $45,000 and $105,000 per year.
How popular is geography as a major?
Each year, around 4,780 students obtain a bachelor’s degree and around 360 students obtain an associate degree in geography. In 2021, 4,409 students received a bachelor's degree and 379 students received an associate degree. This is 6% fewer geography majors than there were in 2020. Geography is one of the most popular majors within interdisciplinary studies.
Advice from geography majors
Share your experienceIt is a varied field with many opportunities
Geography is a fascinating and important subject that studies the physical and human features of the Earth. It is a broad and interdisciplinary field, encompassing topics such as climate, weather, landforms, resources, population, and culture. You will have the opportunity to learn about the world around them and how it works, and to develop the skills they need to address some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Some advice I would give is to pay attention is to think critically. Geography is not just about memorizing facts. It's also about thinking critically about the world around you. Why are things located where they are? What are the consequences of human activity on the environment? Geography can help you to understand these complex issues and to develop your own informed opinions.
Do some research on what you want to do to see if it works with your career goals. It is way more diverse than I thought it was!
Try to take gen ed’s i’m many different subjects if you can (like if you have fre electives), because geography encompasses all sciences and the arts, so everything will help your understand.
Get excited about it! This is a great path to making a difference in the world, and it's not something everyone thinks about. You can and will do amazing things as long as you stick with it.
