Minnesota · Geography and Cartography

Best colleges for Geography and Cartography in Minnesota

Ranked by graduate earnings

Minnesota State University - Mankato, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Bemidji State University award the most Geography and Cartography degrees and certificates in Minnesota: 33, 32 and 16 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 13 Minnesota colleges offer Geography and Cartography and award 143 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
13
offering CIP 45.07
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
143
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$38,019
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
2
College Scorecard
Median net price
$21,607
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
55%
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
1Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public · Certificate
$50,4113354%——
2University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public · Bachelor's degree
$38,0193285%—$20,500

Colleges awarding the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Minnesota

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)
1Minnesota State University - Mankato
Mankato Public
33$50,411
2University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Minneapolis Public
32$38,019
3Bemidji State University
Bemidji Public
16Not reported
4Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
Winona Private not-for-profit
9Not reported
5Gustavus Adolphus College
Saint Peter Private not-for-profit
8Not reported
6Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud Public
8Not reported
7Minnesota State University Moorhead
Moorhead Public
7Not reported
8Minnesota North College
Hibbing Public
6Not reported
9South Central College
North Mankato Public
6Not reported
10University of Minnesota-Duluth
Duluth Public
5Not reported
Show the other 3 Minnesota colleges offering Geography and Cartography
InstitutionCityControlGraduates / yr
University of St ThomasSaint PaulPrivate not-for-profit5
Saint Paul CollegeSaint PaulPublic5
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community CollegeCloquetPublic3

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 Minnesota

Jobs in Minnesota
—
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
—
annual
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Surveying and Mapping Technicians
$72,840 avg · 1,060 jobs
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
$100,330 avg · 120 jobs
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$100,100 avg · 100 jobs
Geographers
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geography and Cartography programs in Minnesota.

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

Minnesota State University - Mankato (33 graduates a year), University of Minnesota-Twin Cities (32 graduates a year) and Bemidji State University (16 graduates a year) award the most Geography and Cartography degrees and certificates in Minnesota, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 13 Minnesota colleges offer Geography and Cartography.

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, Minnesota State University - Mankato tops the list at $50,411. 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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