Best Geography and Cartography institutions in the US, ranked by earnings
Compare 411 U.S. colleges offering Geography and Cartography by graduate earnings, cost, and outcomes. Federal data across 49 states.
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 50 institutions, ranked by graduate earnings
Earnings = median 1 year after graduation (College Scorecard, predominant credential).
| # | Institution | Grad earnings (1 yr) | Completions | Grad rate | Net price | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Park University Parkville, MO Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $58,786 | 27 | 38% | $16,013 | — |
| 2 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NC Public · Graduate degree | $55,320 | 50 | 85% | — | $20,868 |
| 3 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $54,204 | 71 | 84% | — | $16,479 |
| 4 | University of Nevada - Reno Reno, NV Public · Bachelor's degree | $53,079 | 15 | 61% | — | — |
| 5 | George Washington University Washington, DC Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $52,883 | 29 | 84% | $29,789 | $25,000 |
| 6 | Minnesota State University - Mankato Mankato, MN Public · Certificate degree | $50,411 | 36 | 54% | — | — |
| 7 | George Mason University Fairfax, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,568 | 32 | 68% | — | $22,000 |
| 8 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,267 | 120 | 68% | — | $28,500 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $49,267 | 169 | 0% | — | $28,500 |
| 10 | California State University - Sacramento Sacramento, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $48,227 | 25 | 56% | — | $15,881 |
| 11 | DePaul University Chicago, IL Private not-for-profit · Certificate degree | $47,464 | 24 | 68% | $28,141 | $23,412 |
| 12 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SC Public · Bachelor's degree | $46,929 | 21 | 79% | — | $23,250 |
| 13 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,566 | 24 | 75% | — | $23,904 |
| 14 | James Madison University Harrisonburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,094 | 48 | 80% | — | $19,800 |
| 15 | University of Oregon Eugene, OR Public · Bachelor's degree | $45,030 | 15 | 72% | — | $22,775 |
| 16 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,909 | 65 | 55% | — | $22,657 |
| 17 | Metropolitan State University of Denver Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,861 | 8 | 32% | — | $35,136 |
| 18 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OH Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,789 | 4 | 88% | — | $23,250 |
| 19 | The University of Tennessee - Knoxville Knoxville, TN Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,553 | 38 | 74% | — | $26,000 |
| 20 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $44,380 | 36 | 67% | — | $25,250 |
| 21 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $43,856 | 95 | 91% | — | $18,600 |
| 22 | University of Wisconsin - Madison Madison, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,997 | 105 | 90% | — | $20,250 |
| 23 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL Public · Certificate degree | $42,833 | 49 | 63% | — | $19,692 |
| 24 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,829 | 90 | 68% | — | $28,250 |
| 25 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJ Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,638 | 3 | 65% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WA Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,489 | 103 | 85% | — | $17,504 |
| 27 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,454 | 29 | 91% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, IL Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,214 | 26 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 29 | University of North Carolina at Charlotte Charlotte, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $42,210 | 43 | 69% | — | $23,954 |
| 30 | Appalachian State University Boone, NC Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,648 | 75 | 75% | — | $17,750 |
| 31 | Eastern Michigan University Ypsilanti, MI Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,103 | 6 | 46% | — | $17,425 |
| 32 | University of North Alabama Florence, AL Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,076 | 20 | 55% | — | $28,500 |
| 33 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT Public · Bachelor's degree | $41,052 | 86 | 65% | — | $12,373 |
| 34 | University of Pittsburgh - Johnstown Johnstown, PA Public · Certificate degree | $40,962 | 6 | 56% | — | $25,000 |
| 35 | University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA Public · Certificate degree | $40,962 | 28 | 85% | — | $25,000 |
| 36 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MD Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,913 | 79 | 89% | — | $24,441 |
| 37 | Augustana College Rock Island, IL Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,683 | 1 | 73% | $14,960 | $27,000 |
| 38 | Sonoma State University Rohnert Park, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,614 | 27 | 58% | — | $11,000 |
| 39 | Binghamton University Vestal, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,434 | 15 | 82% | — | $20,596 |
| 40 | California State University - Chico Chico, CA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,380 | 6 | 63% | — | $19,250 |
| 41 | Brigham Young University Provo, UT Private not-for-profit · Bachelor's degree | $40,051 | 30 | 81% | $13,712 | $10,360 |
| 42 | University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,048 | 45 | 64% | — | $21,212 |
| 43 | Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, GA Public · Bachelor's degree | $40,020 | 57 | 52% | — | $32,500 |
| 44 | University of North Texas Denton, TX Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,960 | 45 | 61% | — | $20,994 |
| 45 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VA Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,328 | 49 | 86% | — | $20,500 |
| 46 | University of South Florida Tampa, FL Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,259 | 25 | 77% | — | — |
| 47 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus Denver, CO Public · Bachelor's degree | $39,104 | 36 | 46% | — | $22,468 |
| 48 | SUNY Oneonta Oneonta, NY Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,784 | 8 | 69% | — | $20,500 |
| 49 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MO Public · Bachelor's degree | $38,726 | 38 | 75% | — | $21,000 |
| 50 | Portland Community College Portland, OR Public · Certificate degree | $38,714 | 47 | 18% | — | $21,644 |
Offered across 49 states
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
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.
Tools & technology
Concentrations within Geography and Cartography
Specializations under this field (NCES CIP 2020).
- GeographyCIP 45.0701
A program that focuses on the systematic study of the spatial distribution and interrelationships of people, natural resources, plant and animal life
- Geographic Information Science and CartographyCIP 45.0702
A program that focuses on the systematic study of map-making and the application of mathematical, computer, and other techniques to the analysis of large amounts of geographic data and the science of
- Geography, OtherCIP 45.0799
Any instructional program in geography not listed above.
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.
Related programs
Other programs in the same field of study.
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