Two 91次元 students enjoy having class outside, learning field and planning techniques used by geographers and planners on the UM campus on a spectacular Fall day.

Geography Degree Programs

Study Geography at the 91次元

Study landscapes, people and the dynamic relationships between them. The geography degree options at the 91次元 offers unparalleled opportunities to study mountain landscapes, community and environmental planning, and geospatial science and technologies.

Geography is for the curious. We ask big questions about both natural and human landscapes: designing maps for tiger conservation in India and Malaysia; helping community food banks design more efficient delivery systems; optimizing new community garden locations to improve access to lower-income households; studying how urban land use impacts drinking water in Ghana; mapping brown bear habitat connectivity in Spain and more. Where you take your geography degree is up to you.

Our faculty members are leading experts in their fields who have worked all over the world and have particularly strong ties to the Himalayas and the country of Bhutan.

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97%

of W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation graduates are employed or in graduate school

25K

acres of land managed for faculty and student research and learning

$67K

estimated average salary of UM geography bachelor’s degree graduates

Other Geography Degree Programs at UM

W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation Scholarships

Scholarships make big impacts in the lives of our students. Learn more about the opportunities available.

What can you do with a Geography Degree?

A geography degree can open a variety of career pathways or opportunities for extended graduate study. You can choose to specialize your geography degree according to your interests. Graduates of the geography program(s) at UM go on to successful careers in business, industry, government, education and natural resources.

What you’ll learn in the geography program

Along the geography degree path, you’ll learn how to acquire and analyze diverse types of data to answer pressing questions of our time. You’ll also develop strong communication and leadership skills and learn how to help communities navigate their futures. Our program specializes in mountain landscapes, community and environmental planning, and geospatial science and technologies.

Geography jobs

Potential careers with a geography degree include:

  • City/community planner
  • Cartographer
  • Diplomat
  • Surveyor
  • GIS analyst
  • Transportation planner

Geography salary

U.S. News and World Report ranks geographer ninth in Best Science Jobs, and reports a median salary of $81,540 for this career. Here are average salaries for several other careers you may pursue with a geography degree:*

  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) manager: $74,000
  • Cartographer: $65,470
  • Surveying and mapping technician: $45,010

*Based on recent data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Beyond the classroom: Experiential learning in the geography programs

Study growing mountain communities in the unique landscapes of Montana. UM’s geography program makes full use of its natural surroundings to offer field-based and experiential learning opportunities you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

Field-based courses in the geography programs

Explore Glacier National Park and the North Fork of the Flathead River in a field-based course that covers physical geography, winter ecology, geography vs. geology, national park management and more. You’ll also learn field techniques used by geographers and planners in making field observations and in collecting data.

Undergraduate research and geography facilities

At the Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, you’ll have access to 25,000 acres of land managed for and learning — including and Bandy Ranch at the south end of the Bob Marshall Wilderness complex. We also offer state-of-the-art geospatial computer labs that are particularly useful for students specializing in GIS.

Career development in the geography programs

In the geography programs at UM, you’ll find a strong sense of community. Our faculty are world-class researchers and scientists. They are also accessible and dedicated mentors who are here to work with you one-on-one. Throughout your program of study, you’ll have opportunities to develop your professional network and connect with potential job opportunities through internships, undergraduate research and other work.

Student organizations for geography majors

The is a great way to network with peers and make new friends. Follow along on  or !

Geography scholarships

As a geography major at UM, you’ll be eligible for a number of scholarships through the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. Geography students are also eligible for Franke Sustainability Fellowships, which fund study-abroad and research experiences focused on sustainability for FCFC students. Explore scholarship opportunities for geography majors at UM.

Explore classes for the geography programs

UM's Geogpraphy degrees combine education in the unique challenges of mountain environments, the organizing principles of sustainable development and the powerful analytic capabilities of Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

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