Michigan · Geography and Cartography

Best colleges for Geography and Cartography in Michigan

Ranked by graduate earnings

Grand Valley State University, Calvin University and Michigan State University award the most Geography and Cartography degrees and certificates in Michigan: 50, 32 and 18 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 14 Michigan colleges offer Geography and Cartography and award 184 degrees and certificates a year in all.

The Geography and Cartography program focuses on the study of spatial relationships and the creation of maps and visual representations of geographical data. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the physical and…

Institutions
14
offering CIP 45.07
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
184
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$35,838
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,391
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
59%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geographers
—
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 2 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings

Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard. Programs with fewer than 20 graduates a year, a graduation rate under 30%, or online, degree-completion or graduate-only status rank after the rest.

Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionStarting salary (1 yr)Graduates / yrGrad rateNet priceMedian debt
1Grand Valley State University
Allendale Public · Bachelor's degree
$35,8385067%—$20,500
2Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$41,1031346%—$17,425

Colleges awarding the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Michigan

Top 10 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools, and schools with a graduation rate under 30% are listed in full below.

Graduates / yr: degrees and certificates awarded in a year, IPEDS completions. Starting salary (1 yr): median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
#InstitutionGraduates / yrStarting salary (1 yr)
1Grand Valley State University
Allendale Public
50$35,838
2Calvin University
Grand Rapids Private not-for-profit
32Not reported
3Michigan State University
East Lansing Public
18Not reported
4Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo Public
17Not reported
5Northern Michigan University
Marquette Public
15Not reported
6Eastern Michigan University
Ypsilanti Public
13$41,103
7Michigan Technological University
Houghton Public
9Not reported
8Central Michigan University
Mount Pleasant Public
8Not reported
9Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste Marie Public
8Not reported
10University of Michigan-Flint
Flint Public
4Not reported
Show the other 4 Michigan colleges offering Geography and Cartography
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
Aquinas CollegeGrand RapidsPrivate not-for-profit3
University of Michigan-DearbornDearbornPublic3
Wayne State UniversityDetroitPublic3
Ferris State UniversityBig RapidsPublic1

Career outlook

What this program leads to: Geographers (SOC 19-3092).

Projected growth (2024–2034)
-3.1%
Decline
Openings / yr (US)
~100
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$97,200
typically Bachelor's degree

Top skills

WritingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingSpeakingActive ListeningActive Learning

What Geographers earn in Michigan

Jobs in Michigan
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
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Related careers

Surveying and Mapping Technicians
$57,040 avg · 690 jobs
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$76,240 avg · 250 jobs
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
$81,250 avg · 80 jobs
Geographers
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geography and Cartography programs in Michigan.

Which Michigan colleges award the most Geography and Cartography degrees?+

Grand Valley State University (50 graduates a year), Calvin University (32 graduates a year) and Michigan State University (18 graduates a year) award the most Geography and Cartography degrees and certificates in Michigan, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 14 Michigan colleges offer Geography and Cartography.

Which Geography and Cartography program in Michigan has the highest-earning graduates?+

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Grand Valley State University tops the list at $35,838. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

What is the focus of the Geography and Cartography program?+

The Geography and Cartography program focuses on the study of spatial relationships and the creation of maps and visual representations of geographical data. This program is ideal for students interested in understanding the physical and…

What skills will I develop in this program?+

You will develop writing, reading comprehension, critical thinking, speaking, and related professional skills.

What is the job outlook for Geographers?+

The national job outlook is about -3.1% growth with around 100 annual openings (BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034).

What is the typical education requirement?+

A Bachelor's degree is the typical entry-level education for this field (BLS).

About the data on this page

Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
PSEO graduate earnings2019–21 graduation cohorts (release V4.13.0)
Earnings and employment outcomes of graduates by institution, degree level, and field of study, measured from state wage records.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.
FVT/GE program performanceProvisional preview, May 18, 2026 release
Program-level debt-to-earnings and earnings-premium measures behind the FVT/GE and STATS accountability frameworks.

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