Geography and Cartography at Western Washington University

Bellingham, WA · Public · Certificate

Western Washington University has a 91% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, serving 13,574 students in Bellingham, WA.

Program Analysis

At $34,230 per year, Geography and Cartography graduates from Western Washington University earn below the $40,902 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

The 38.6x 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 0% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Geography and Cartography graduates.

At #12 out of 15 programs, Western Washington University's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

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

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
47
Low End
51
Score
53
High End
Earnings $34,230/yr (-16% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (51% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (115,700 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$358K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
38.6x
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)
$9,286
Out-of-state: $27,853

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 Western Washington University? 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

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 Western Washington University?
At 51/100, 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.
Will AI affect Geography and Cartography careers?
AI exposure of 49% is a real factor. For Western Washington University specifically, the gap between optimistic ($358,121) and pessimistic ($358,121) decade earnings reflects that uncertainty.
Is Western Washington University a good choice for Geography and Cartography despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Western Washington University may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Geography and Cartography through an apprenticeship instead of Western Washington University?
There are 6 registered apprenticeships connected to Geography and Cartography occupations, such as Chief Of Party (Prof & Kin) and Geodetic Computator. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
How many job openings are there for Geography and Cartography graduates?
The career paths mapped to Geography and Cartography have roughly 115,700 combined annual openings nationally, making this a very large job market. Demand is driven by consistent replacement demand and industry growth.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →