Compare 37 Geography. programs in the West. Average earnings: $44,432.
Geography programs produce graduates earning between $43,518 and $60,363—a $17K spread that demonstrates why program selection matters independently of school prestige. Across 37 ranked programs in the West, outcomes vary based on program quality, not institutional reputation.
University of California-Los Angeles's Geography program leads with graduates earning $60,363, well above the regional average of $44,432. University of Washington-Seattle Campus follows at $57,825, while UC Santa Barbara rounds out the top three at $57,435. These outcomes reflect program-specific strengths rather than overall institutional prestige.
High earnings don't tell the whole story—debt burden matters. UCLA graduates borrow $14,000 and face just a 5.1% payment burden, landing in the 'Excellent' category. For families considering parent loans, Brigham Young University leads with an 11.2% family burden, achieving 'Good' affordability while maintaining strong career outcomes.
Highest program earnings: $60,363
Strong outcomes ($54,884) with 93% acceptance
5.1% payment burden | Excellent
11.2% family burden | Good
| Rank | School | Program Earnings | Cohort Size | Student Debt | Student GPS | Parent Debt | Parent GPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | $60,363 | 156 | $14,000 | Excellent | $26,176 | Manageable | |
| #2 | $57,825 | 134 | $14,615 | Excellent | $24,883 | Manageable | |
| #3 | $57,435 | 98 | $13,993 | Excellent | $26,465 | Manageable | |
| #4 | $54,884 | 33 | $13,872 | Excellent | $13,522 | Manageable | |
| #5 | $54,616 | 60 | $19,500 | Good | $46,340 | High | |
| #6 | $52,882 | 27 | $16,000 | Excellent | $15,000 | Manageable | |
| #7 | $52,747 | 46 | $15,000 | Excellent | $16,507 | Manageable | |
| #8 | $51,016 | 25 | $19,500 | Good | $22,000 | Challenging | |
| #9 | $50,825 | 36 | $20,500 | Good | $21,716 | Challenging | |
| #10 | $50,787 | 21 | $16,552 | Good | $17,585 | Manageable | |
| #11 | $50,447 | 106 | $19,500 | Good | $23,519 | Challenging | |
| #12 | $50,275 | 9 | $14,505 | Excellent | $12,050 | Manageable | |
| #13 | Brigham Young UniversityPrivate | $49,878 | 68 | $11,069 | Excellent | $9,699 | Good |
| #14 | $49,077 | 56 | $14,289 | Excellent | $15,177 | Manageable | |
| #15 | $47,679 | 37 | $13,750 | Excellent | $16,538 | Manageable | |
| #16 | $46,087 | 18 | $18,922 | Good | $26,150 | High | |
| #17 | $44,861 | 19 | $21,500 | Manageable | $13,743 | Challenging | |
| #18 | $44,384 | 8 | $19,000 | Good | $23,489 | High | |
| #19 | $44,226 | 28 | $20,500 | Manageable | $18,859 | High | |
| #20 | University Of ArizonaPublic | $43,518 | 23 | $19,620 | Manageable | $30,126 | High |
| #21 | $43,135 | 21 | $18,500 | Manageable | $23,123 | High | |
| #22 | $43,058 | 39 | $15,371 | Good | $19,732 | High | |
| #23 | $42,682 | 6 | $19,500 | Manageable | $17,148 | High | |
| #24 | $41,964 | 52 | $20,000 | Manageable | $21,710 | High | |
| #25 | Thomas Aquinas CollegePrivate | $41,857 | 22 | $18,000 | Manageable | $0 | Manageable |
Our program rankings answer: "Which schools have the best outcomes for graduates of this specific major?"
Unlike traditional rankings that measure overall school quality, these rankings focus on program-level outcomes. A school that's #200 overall might have a top-10 nursing program — and that matters if you're studying nursing.
Data based on 2024-2025 Dept of Education reporting standards. Learn about our methodology →
