Washington · Geography and Cartography

Best colleges for Geography and Cartography in Washington

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Western Washington University and Central Washington University are the top bachelor's Geography and Cartography programs in Washington by graduate earnings. University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,489, College Scorecard. University of Washington-Seattle Campus, The Evergreen State College and Western Washington University award the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Washington: 115, 31 and 23 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 7 Washington colleges offer Geography and Cartography and award 244 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
7
offering CIP 45.07
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
244
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$29,931
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
3
College Scorecard
Median net price
$31,900
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
58%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geographers
$113,420
BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 3 bachelor's programs, 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
1University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,48911585%—$17,504
2Western Washington University
Bellingham Public · Bachelor's degree
$29,9312365%—$21,500
3Central Washington University
Ellensburg Public · Bachelor's degree
$23,5532254%——

Colleges awarding the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Washington

Top 7 by graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25 completions). Certificate and associate programs, 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)
1University of Washington-Seattle Campus
Seattle Public
115$42,489
2The Evergreen State College
Olympia Public
31Not reported
3Western Washington University
Bellingham Public
23$29,931
4Central Washington University
Ellensburg Public
22$23,553
5Eastern Washington University
Cheney Public
22Not reported
6Seattle University
Seattle Private not-for-profit
16Not reported
7Green River College
Auburn Public
15Not reported

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 Washington

Jobs in Washington
40
BLS OEWS May 2025
State average pay
$113,420
median $112,260
Best-paying metro
—

Related careers

Surveying and Mapping Technicians
$65,290 avg · 1,030 jobs
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$95,730 avg · 870 jobs
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
$90,730 avg · 100 jobs
Geographers
$113,420 avg · 40 jobs

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geography and Cartography programs in Washington.

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

University of Washington-Seattle Campus (115 graduates a year), The Evergreen State College (31 graduates a year) and Western Washington University (23 graduates a year) award the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Washington, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 7 Washington colleges offer Geography and Cartography.

What is the best college for Geography and Cartography in Washington?+

By graduate earnings, University of Washington-Seattle Campus leads among bachelor's Geography and Cartography programs in Washington, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,489, College Scorecard. Western Washington University and Central Washington University follow. By degrees awarded, University of Washington-Seattle Campus is the largest, with 115 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Washington-Seattle Campus tops the list at $42,489. Compare it against graduates a year, graduation rate, cost, and debt in the ranked table above.

How much do Geographers earn in Washington?+

The average annual wage for Geographers in Washington is $113,420 (median $112,260), across about 40 jobs. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025.

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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