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# Top Geography Programs in the South by Earnings (2026)

Updated September 30, 2026

Regional list from [Best Geography Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-geography-programs/)

This page ranks the 37 Geography programs in the South by median earnings of Geography graduates four years after completing. [George Washington University](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) leads the list with median earnings of $78,390 four years after completing, followed by [George Mason University](/school/george-mason-university/majors/) at $74,692 and [University of Florida](/school/university-of-florida/majors/) at $67,276.

Across the listed programs, median earnings range from $78,390 to $33,993, with a median of $56,151. For 6 of the 37 programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one.

Public institutions account for 97% of the list, with 36 public programs and 1 private nonprofit program. University of Florida reports the lowest average net price on the page at $6,541.

The University of Texas at Austin ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions.

## The ranked list

37 schools in list order

| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Average net price | Net price, families under $30K | Admission rate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | George Washington University · Washington, DC | $78,390 | $36,586 | $17,440 | 47.1% |
|  | [George Washington University](/school/george-washington-university/majors/) ranks 1st on this list, reporting [median earnings of $78,390](/school/george-washington-university/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 2 | George Mason University · Fairfax, VA | $74,692 | $17,915 | $11,942 | 87.5% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 87%](/school/george-mason-university/admissions/), [George Mason University](/school/george-mason-university/majors/) posts median earnings of $74,692 for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 3 | University of Florida · Gainesville, FL | $67,276 | $6,541 | $1,982 | 24.2% |
|  | [University of Florida](/school/university-of-florida/majors/) carries an [average net price of $6,541,](/school/university-of-florida/cost/) and its Geography graduates earn a median of $67,276 four years after completing. |
| 4 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College · Baton Rouge, LA | $66,168 | $19,151 | $13,056 | 73.3% |
|  | At [Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College](/school/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college/majors/), graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $20,500](/school/louisiana-state-university-and-agricultural-mechanical-college/outcomes/) in federal loans, while its Geography graduates earned $66,168 four years after completing. |
| 5 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University · Blacksburg, VA | $65,259 | $24,953 | $11,689 | 54.8% |
|  | [Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/majors/) [ranks 112th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/virginia-polytechnic-institute-and-state-university/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, and its Geography graduates earn a median of $65,259 four years after completing. |
| 6 | Texas A&M University-College Station · College Station, TX | $65,228 | $21,315 | $12,784 | 57.4% |
|  | With a cohort of 62 graduates in the earnings cohort, [Texas A&M University-College Station](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/majors/) reports [median earnings of $65,228](/school/texas-am-university-college-station/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 7 | University of Maryland-College Park · College Park, MD | $63,835 | $15,678 | $2,962 | 44.8% |
|  | [University of Maryland-College Park](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/majors/) carries an [average net price of $15,678,](/school/university-of-maryland-college-park/cost/) and its Geography graduates earn a median of $63,835 four years after completing. |
| 8 | James Madison University · Harrisonburg, VA | $63,768 | $23,322 | $11,444 | 71.5% |
|  | [James Madison University](/school/james-madison-university/majors/) ranks 8th on this list, with a Geography cohort of 65 graduates in the earnings cohort earning a [median of $63,768](/school/james-madison-university/outcomes/) four years after completing. |
| 9 | Radford University · Radford, VA | $63,552 | $14,578 | $8,965 | 89.5% |
|  | [Radford University](/school/radford-university/majors/) [admits 90% of applicants](/school/radford-university/admissions/), and its Geography graduates earn a median of $63,552 four years after completing. |
| 10 | The University of Texas at Austin · Austin, TX | $62,438 | $19,857 | $12,553 | 26.6% |
|  | [The University of Texas at Austin](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/majors/) [ranks 9th on Azimuth's composite ranking](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-austin/) among nonprofit four-year institutions, alongside median earnings of $62,438 for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 11 | Texas Tech University · Lubbock, TX | $60,831 | $19,070 | $12,457 | 72.7% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $21,500](/school/texas-tech-university/outcomes/) in federal loans at [Texas Tech University](/school/texas-tech-university/majors/), and its Geography graduates earn a median of $60,831 four years after completing. |
| 12 | Texas State University · San Marcos, TX | $60,646 | $16,805 | $12,715 | 89.3% |
|  | [Texas State University](/school/texas-state-university/majors/) reports an [average net price of $16,805,](/school/texas-state-university/cost/) while its Geography graduates earn a median of $60,646 four years after completing. |
| 13 | University of South Carolina-Columbia · Columbia, SC | $59,472 | $22,811 | $12,634 | 60.2% |
|  | [University of South Carolina-Columbia](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/majors/) reports [median earnings of $59,472](/school/university-of-south-carolina-columbia/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $22,811. |
| 14 | Salisbury University · Salisbury, MD | $58,548 | $17,743 | $6,743 | 87.5% |
|  | [Salisbury University](/school/salisbury-university/majors/) [admits 87% of applicants](/school/salisbury-university/admissions/) and its Geography graduates earn a median of $58,548 four years after completing. |
| 15 | Appalachian State University · Boone, NC | $58,289 | $16,836 | $9,325 | 90.1% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [Appalachian State University](/school/appalachian-state-university/majors/) left with a [median of $20,231](/school/appalachian-state-university/outcomes/) in federal loans, and the school ranks 320th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 16 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte · Charlotte, NC | $57,208 | $15,435 | $10,357 | 79.6% |
|  | [University of North Carolina at Charlotte](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/majors/) ranks 16th on this list, with [median earnings of $57,208](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-charlotte/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing and an average net price of $10,357 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 17 | West Virginia University · Morgantown, WV | $57,075 | $15,634 | $9,450 | 89.0% |
|  | [West Virginia University](/school/west-virginia-university/majors/) posts a [median of $57,075](/school/west-virginia-university/outcomes/) in earnings for its Geography graduates four years after completing, from a cohort of 9 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 18 | University of Louisville · Louisville, KY | $56,775 | $17,988 | $15,138 | 79.4% |
|  | With an [admission rate of 79%](/school/university-of-louisville/admissions/), [University of Louisville](/school/university-of-louisville/majors/) reports median earnings of $56,775 for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 19 | Sam Houston State University · Huntsville, TX | $56,151 | $16,404 | $12,474 | 90.3% |
|  | [Sam Houston State University](/school/sam-houston-state-university/majors/) shows [median earnings of $56,151](/school/sam-houston-state-university/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing, and the school ranks 117th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 20 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro · Greensboro, NC | $55,532 | $10,965 | $7,305 | 88.5% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at [University of North Carolina at Greensboro](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/majors/) left with a [median of $22,858](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-greensboro/outcomes/) in federal loans, while the school's Geography graduates earn a median of $55,532 four years after completing. |
| 21 | University of South Florida · Tampa, FL | $54,944 | $9,812 | $4,122 | 43.2% |
|  | [University of South Florida](/school/university-of-south-florida/majors/) carries an [average net price of $4,122](/school/university-of-south-florida/cost/) for families earning under $30,000, and its Geography graduates earn a median of $54,944 four years after completing. |
| 22 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville · Knoxville, TN | $54,656 | $18,976 | $10,029 | 41.6% |
|  | [The University of Tennessee-Knoxville](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/majors/) [admits 42% of applicants](/school/the-university-of-tennessee-knoxville/admissions/) and ranks 132nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 23 | The University of Texas at San Antonio · San Antonio, TX | $53,449 | $10,836 | $7,870 | 86.8% |
|  | [The University of Texas at San Antonio](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,449](/school/the-university-of-texas-at-san-antonio/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $10,836. |
| 24 | University of Mary Washington · Fredericksburg, VA | $53,081 | $20,667 | $10,304 | 79.8% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed at University of Mary Washington left with a median of $20,500 in federal loans, and the school's Geography graduates earn a median of $53,081 four years after completing. |
| 25 | Kennesaw State University · Kennesaw, GA | $53,044 | $15,048 | $12,235 | 69.2% |
|  | [Kennesaw State University](/school/kennesaw-state-university/majors/) reports [median earnings of $53,044](/school/kennesaw-state-university/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing, with 37 graduates in the earnings cohort. |
| 26 | University of North Texas · Denton, TX | $52,712 | $15,649 | $12,311 | 72.2% |
|  | Graduates across all fields who borrowed left with a [median of $19,250](/school/university-of-north-texas/outcomes/) in federal loans at [University of North Texas](/school/university-of-north-texas/majors/), which ranks 26th on this list. |
| 27 | Florida State University · Tallahassee, FL | $52,537 | $11,297 | $5,938 | 24.2% |
|  | [Florida State University](/school/florida-state-university/majors/) [admits 24% of applicants](/school/florida-state-university/admissions/) and posts an average net price of $11,297. |
| 28 | University of North Alabama · Florence, AL | $50,445 | $12,170 | $9,741 | 87.3% |
|  | University of North Alabama ranks 782nd on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions and reports 10 graduates in the earnings cohort for its Geography program. |
| 29 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Chapel Hill, NC | $49,476 | $11,655 | $2,004 | 15.3% |
|  | An [average net price of $2,004](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/cost/) for families earning under $30,000 coincides with a 15% admission rate at [University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill](/school/university-of-north-carolina-at-chapel-hill/majors/). |
| 30 | The University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL | $49,269 | $22,420 | $19,169 | 76.7% |
|  | [The University of Alabama](/school/the-university-of-alabama/majors/) ranks 30th on this list, with [median earnings of $49,269](/school/the-university-of-alabama/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |
| 31 | Old Dominion University · Norfolk, VA | $48,280 | $14,638 | $9,739 | 90.4% |
|  | [Old Dominion University](/school/old-dominion-university/majors/) reports a [median federal debt of $24,000](/school/old-dominion-university/cost/) across all of its borrowers who completed, alongside an admission rate of 90%. |
| 32 | Towson University · Towson, MD | $42,682 | $17,413 | $6,962 | 82.0% |
|  | [Towson University](/school/towson-university/majors/) posts an [average net price of $17,413](/school/towson-university/cost/) and ranks 114th on Azimuth's composite ranking among nonprofit four-year institutions. |
| 33 | University of Arkansas · Fayetteville, AR | $40,467 | $18,209 | $14,319 | 74.3% |
|  | [University of Arkansas](/school/university-of-arkansas/majors/) reports [median earnings of $40,467](/school/university-of-arkansas/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing, with an average net price of $14,319 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 34 | University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus · Norman, OK | $37,856 | $15,300 | $10,509 | 76.6% |
|  | With 20 graduates in the earnings cohort, [University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/majors/) [admits 77% of applicants](/school/university-of-oklahoma-norman-campus/admissions/) to its Geography program. |
| 35 | University of Kentucky · Lexington, KY | $37,208 | $18,851 | $12,182 | 92.9% |
|  | An [average net price of $18,851](/school/university-of-kentucky/cost/) and an admission rate of 93% accompany the 35th position of [University of Kentucky](/school/university-of-kentucky/majors/) on this list. |
| 36 | University of Georgia · Athens, GA | $35,420 | $13,936 | $8,085 | 37.7% |
|  | [University of Georgia](/school/university-of-georgia/majors/) reports [median earnings of $35,420](/school/university-of-georgia/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing, alongside an average net price of $8,085 for families earning under $30,000. |
| 37 | Western Kentucky University · Bowling Green, KY | $33,993 | $10,990 | $7,087 | 93.9% |
|  | [Western Kentucky University](/school/western-kentucky-university/majors/) ranks 37th on this list, with [median earnings of $33,993](/school/western-kentucky-university/outcomes/) for its Geography graduates four years after completing. |

## How this list is ordered

Programs are ordered by the median earnings of their Geography graduates four years after completing, highest first. Only programs with a reported earnings cohort in the South appear. The figure is the median earnings of federally aided Geography graduates who were working and not enrolled, measured four years after completing. For 6 of the 37 listed programs the figure is the two-year completion median rather than the four-year one. The metric does not adjust for graduate school enrollment, cost, or who enrolls, and it is not a measure of teaching quality. George Washington University leads the list at $78,390, with George Mason University trailing by $3,698 at $74,692.

## Related rankings

-   [Best Geography Programs in the United States](/rankings/best-geography-programs/)
-   [Best Colleges in the South](/rankings/best-colleges-in-the-south/)
-   [Best Geography Programs in the Midwest](/rankings/best-geography-programs-in-the-midwest/)
-   [Best Geography Programs in the Northeast](/rankings/best-geography-programs-in-the-northeast/)
-   [Best Geography Programs in the West](/rankings/best-geography-programs-in-the-west/)