Geography, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
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Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Geography, Other.: The DTI for this program is 56.5%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Geography, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $38797) to the average debt ($21933) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Geography, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 56.5%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Geography, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($38797) against the typical student debt ($21933), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Geography, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $38797, with grads carrying about $21933 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.57—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 7541 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Geography, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Geography, Other (CIP 45.0799) is a spatial social science field focused on understanding how physical environments, human activity, and spatial relationships shape places, regions, and global systems. This classification is used for geography programs that do not fit neatly into traditional tracks such as human geography, physical geography, or geospatial science. Instead, it allows institutions to offer interdisciplinary, applied, or emerging geography degrees that blend environmental science, social analysis, technology, and spatial reasoning.
For a degree search site, Geography, Other represents location intelligence, systems thinking, and real-world relevance. Every major issue—urban growth, climate change, transportation, resource distribution, public health, disaster response, and globalization—has a spatial dimension. This degree appeals to students who want a big-picture understanding of how place, environment, and human systems interact and who enjoy working with maps, data, and geographic analysis.
What Is a Geography, Other Degree?
A Geography, Other degree is an academic program that studies spatial patterns and relationships across physical and human landscapes. Programs under the “Other” designation often emphasize customized or interdisciplinary approaches such as:
- Applied or regional geography
- Environmental and sustainability-focused geography
- Urban, rural, or regional planning foundations
- Spatial analysis and location-based decision-making
- Integrated physical–human geography programs
Rather than focusing on memorizing locations, this degree emphasizes:
- Understanding why things are where they are
- Analyzing spatial patterns and processes
- Studying interactions between humans and environments
- Applying geographic tools to real-world problems
- Integrating physical science and social science perspectives
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Provide flexible geography pathways
- Support interdisciplinary and applied learning
- Prepare students for spatially informed careers
- Reflect evolving uses of geographic analysis
Geography, Other is especially useful for students who want broad geographic training with room to specialize.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how to analyze places and spatial systems at local, regional, and global scales. You’ll study how climate, landforms, population, culture, technology, and economics shape human settlement and environmental outcomes. Coursework emphasizes spatial thinking, data analysis, and systems-level understanding.
You’ll also learn how to use maps, geographic data, and spatial models to inform decisions in public policy, business, and environmental management.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Spatial reasoning and analysis—understanding patterns and relationships
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS)—mapping and spatial data tools
- Data visualization and cartography—communicating geographic insights
- Environmental and human systems analysis—integrated perspectives
- Field observation and data collection—real-world geographic study
- Critical and regional analysis—place-based understanding
- Research and analytical writing—clear geographic explanation
- Interdisciplinary problem-solving—connecting spatial data to policy
These skills are increasingly valuable in data-driven and location-aware industries.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution, but may include:
- Human and Cultural Geography: population and settlement patterns
- Physical and Environmental Geography: landforms, climate, ecosystems
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS): spatial analysis tools
- Urban, Regional, or Transportation Geography: cities and infrastructure
- Environmental Change and Sustainability: human–environment interaction
- Globalization and Regional Studies: economic and cultural flows
- Remote Sensing and Spatial Data: satellite and aerial imagery
- Field Methods in Geography: applied geographic research
- Capstone or Applied Spatial Project: real-world geographic analysis
Programs often allow thematic or regional specialization.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Geography, Other degree prepares students for spatial analysis, planning, research, and applied geography roles across many sectors. Career outcomes depend on technical skills and specialization.
Common career paths include:
- GIS or Spatial Analyst: mapping and data analysis
- Urban or Regional Planning Assistant: land use and development
- Environmental or Sustainability Analyst: resource management
- Transportation or Logistics Analyst: network optimization
- Public Health or Disaster Response Analyst: spatial risk analysis
- Market or Location Analyst: business site selection
- Research or Program Assistant: geographic studies
- Graduate School Path: geography, planning, environmental science
GIS expertise significantly expands career opportunities.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations that rely on spatial insight:
- Government and planning agencies
- Environmental and sustainability organizations
- Transportation, logistics, and infrastructure firms
- Public health and emergency management agencies
- Technology and geospatial companies
- Consulting and data analytics firms
- Universities and research institutions
Geographers help organizations understand how place influences outcomes.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by role, technical skill, and sector.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level geography or GIS roles: often $45,000–$60,000
- Experienced spatial or planning analysts: commonly $60,000–$85,000
- Senior GIS specialists or managers: can reach $90,000–$120,000+
Advanced GIS, programming, or planning credentials increase earning potential.
Is This Degree Hard?
Geography, Other is considered moderately challenging. Students must integrate physical science, social science, and technical tools such as GIS. Success requires comfort with data, spatial reasoning, and interdisciplinary thinking.
The challenge lies in connecting environmental processes with human behavior across scales.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Enjoy maps, data, and spatial problem-solving
- Are curious about how places shape human activity
- Like combining environmental and social analysis
- Want flexible career options with technical skills
- Are considering planning, environmental, or GIS careers
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a geography program:
- Take geography, earth science, environmental science, and math courses
- Develop strong data analysis and computer skills
- Learn basic map reading and spatial reasoning
- Follow global environmental and urban issues
- Practice research and critical thinking
Geography, Other (CIP 45.0799) is a versatile and future-ready degree for students who want to understand the world through place, space, and systems. It builds powerful spatial thinking, data analysis, and interdisciplinary skills that are increasingly essential in a location-aware, data-driven world. For those drawn to maps, environments, and global connections, this degree offers both intellectual depth and strong career relevance.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor