Wisconsin · Geography and Cartography

Best colleges for Geography and Cartography in Wisconsin

Ranked by graduate earnings

University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater are the top bachelor's Geography and Cartography programs in Wisconsin by graduate earnings. University of Wisconsin-Madison leads with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,997, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire award the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Wisconsin: 53, 32 and 29 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25). 10 Wisconsin colleges offer Geography and Cartography and award 155 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
10
offering CIP 45.07
States offered
50
with a program page
Degrees / yr
155
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Median starting salary
$37,521
1 yr after graduation, College Scorecard
With earnings data
4
College Scorecard
Median net price
$22,844
IPEDS 2024–25
Avg graduation rate
56%
IPEDS 2024–25
State pay · Geographers
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BLS OEWS May 2025

Top 4 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 Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Public · Bachelor's degree
$42,9975390%—$20,250
2University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire Public · Bachelor's degree
$40,0482964%—$21,212
3University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public · Bachelor's degree
$37,5213259%—$23,983
4University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public · Bachelor's degree Small program
$32,052749%—$27,000

Colleges awarding the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Wisconsin

Top 10 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 Wisconsin-Madison
Madison Public
53$42,997
2University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Whitewater Public
32$37,521
3University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Eau Claire Public
29$40,048
4University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Stevens Point Public
15Not reported
5University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee Public
7$32,052
6University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Kenosha Public
6Not reported
7University of Wisconsin-River Falls
River Falls Public
5Not reported
8University of Wisconsin-Superior
Superior Public
4Not reported
9Carthage College
Kenosha Private not-for-profit
3Not reported
10University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Oshkosh Public
1Not 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 Wisconsin

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

Surveying and Mapping Technicians
$59,900 avg · 660 jobs
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
$79,270 avg · 260 jobs
Geography Teachers, Postsecondary
$98,790 avg · 70 jobs
Geographers
—

Common questions

Answers for students comparing Geography and Cartography programs in Wisconsin.

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

University of Wisconsin-Madison (53 graduates a year), University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (32 graduates a year) and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (29 graduates a year) award the most Geography and Cartography degrees in Wisconsin, per IPEDS 2024–25 completions. In all, 10 Wisconsin colleges offer Geography and Cartography.

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

By graduate earnings, University of Wisconsin-Madison leads among bachelor's Geography and Cartography programs in Wisconsin, with median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary) of $42,997, College Scorecard. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater follow. By degrees awarded, University of Wisconsin-Madison is the largest, with 53 graduates a year (IPEDS 2024–25).

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

By median earnings one year after graduation (often called starting salary), College Scorecard, University of Wisconsin-Madison tops the list at $42,997. 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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