Best colleges for Geography and Cartography
Ranked by graduate earnings
The top bachelor's colleges for Geography and Cartography by graduate earnings are Park University ($58,786), Texas A&M University - College Station ($54,204) and University of Nevada-Reno ($53,079), based on median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, among programs with at least 20 graduates a year, excluding online, degree-completion and graduate-only schools and those with a graduation rate under 30%.
- Park University (Parkville, MO): $58,786, 31 graduates a year
- Texas A&M University - College Station (College Station, TX): $54,204, 104 graduates a year
- University of Nevada-Reno (Reno, NV): $53,079, 30 graduates a year
- George Washington University (Washington, DC): $52,883, 32 graduates a year
- George Mason University (Fairfax, VA): $49,568, 28 graduates a year
Compare 418 U.S. colleges offering Geography and Cartography by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 50 states.
Geography and Cartography programs report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,960 (College Scorecard, 2019), and map to CIP 45.07 and the Geographers occupation (BLS SOC).
About Geography and Cartography programs
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 human aspects of the Earth, as well as those who wish to develop skills in geographic information systems (GIS) and cartographic techniques.
Students in this program will gain core skills in writing, critical thinking, and data analysis, along with knowledge in geography, mathematics, and technology. Coursework typically involves creating maps, gathering geographic data, and utilizing software for spatial analysis.
Top 25 bachelor's programs, ranked by graduate earnings
Ranked by median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, predominant credential. 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.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Park University Parkville, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,786 | 31 | 38% | $16,013 | — |
| 2 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,204 | 104 | 84% | — | $16,479 |
| 3 | University of Nevada-Reno Reno, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,079 | 30 | 61% | — | — |
| 4 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,883 | 32 | 84% | $29,789 | $25,000 |
| 5 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,568 | 28 | 68% | — | $22,000 |
| 6 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,267 | 108 | 68% | — | $28,500 |
| 7 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,227 | 28 | 56% | — | $15,881 |
| 8 | University of South Carolina-Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,929 | 35 | 79% | — | $23,250 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania State University University Park, PA Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,477 | 39 | 86% | — | $26,000 |
| 10 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,094 | 64 | 80% | — | $19,800 |
| 11 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,909 | 53 | 55% | — | $22,657 |
| 12 | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,553 | 38 | 74% | — | $26,000 |
| 13 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,380 | 56 | 67% | — | $25,250 |
| 14 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,856 | 103 | 91% | — | $18,600 |
| 15 | University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,997 | 53 | 90% | — | $20,250 |
| 16 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,829 | 99 | 68% | — | $28,250 |
| 17 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,489 | 115 | 85% | — | $17,504 |
| 18 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,454 | 28 | 91% | — | — |
| 19 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,210 | 34 | 69% | — | $23,954 |
| 20 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,052 | 77 | 65% | — | $12,373 |
| 21 | University of Maryland-College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,913 | 62 | 89% | — | $24,441 |
| 22 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,614 | 22 | 58% | — | $11,000 |
| 23 | Binghamton University Vestal, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,434 | 29 | 82% | — | $20,596 |
| 24 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,051 | 43 | 81% | $13,712 | $10,360 |
| 25 | University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,048 | 29 | 64% | — | $21,212 |
Top 7 certificate and associate programs
Shorter credentials, ranked separately so they are not compared with four-year degrees. Ranked by median earnings one year after completion (often called starting salary), College Scorecard.
| # | Institution | Starting salary (1 yr) | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Duke University Durham, NC Private not-for-profit · Graduate degree | $63,356 | 41 | 97% | $16,260 | — |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Graduate degree | $55,320 | 60 | 85% | — | $20,868 |
| 3 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Certificate | $50,411 | 33 | 54% | — | — |
| 4 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Certificate | $47,464 | 29 | 68% | $28,141 | $23,412 |
| 5 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Certificate | $42,833 | 59 | 63% | — | $19,692 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate | $40,962 | 31 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 7 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA Public · Certificate Small program | $40,962 | 2 | 56% | — | $25,000 |
Specializations within Geography and Cartography
3 of the 3 6-digit CIP codes under CIP 45.07 have U.S. graduates (NCES CIP 2020, IPEDS 2024–25). Each links to its own page, ranked by graduates.
Offered across 50 states & territories
The same program, compared state by state. Pick a state for in-state earnings and institutions.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-3092, Geographers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Geography and Cartography program can pursue various careers, although the job outlook indicates a decline of 3.1% with about 100 annual openings. The median wage for professionals in this field is approximately $97,200, typically requiring a Bachelor's degree for entry-level positions.
Top-paying metros
Related careers
CIP-to-SOC crosswalk for Geography and Cartography
The SOC occupations NCES officially maps to CIP 45.07.
Under the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk, CIP 45.07 (Geography and Cartography) maps to 5 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) occupations, the jobs the U.S. Department of Labor links to this field of study.
| SOC code | Occupation |
|---|---|
| 11-9199 | Managers, All Other |
| 17-1021 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists |
| 17-3031 | Surveying and Mapping Technicians |
| 19-3092 | Geographersprimary |
| 25-1064 | Geography Teachers, Postsecondary |
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 Crosswalk.
Skills & knowledge in Geography and Cartography programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this program most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
What graduates do on the job
- Create and modify maps, graphs, or diagrams, using geographical information software and related equipment, and principles of cartography, such as coordinate systems, longitude, latitude, elevation, topography, and map scales.
- Gather and compile geographic data from sources such as censuses, field observations, satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and existing maps.
- Teach geography.
- Write and present reports of research findings.
- Provide geographical information systems support to the private and public sectors.
- Study the economic, political, and cultural characteristics of a specific region's population.
Common questions
What is Geography and Cartography?+
It is the study of spatial relationships and the creation of maps and visual representations of geographical data.
What skills will I learn?+
You will develop skills in writing, critical thinking, data analysis, and geographic information systems.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook shows a decline of 3.1%, with about 100 annual openings.
What is the typical education required?+
A Bachelor's degree is typically required for entry-level positions in this field.
How much do Geography and Cartography graduates earn?+
Geography and Cartography graduates report median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $39,960, College Scorecard (2019); the Geographers occupation pays about $102,350 on average nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
What is the CIP code for Geography and Cartography?+
Geography and Cartography maps to CIP 45.07 in the Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP), the U.S. Department of Education taxonomy used for College Scorecard Field of Study earnings and IPEDS completions.
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.
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