Geography and Cartography programs
CIP 4507 · Social Sciences · ranked by median earnings four years after completion
134 institutions report graduate earnings for Geography and Cartography programs (College Scorecard, 2024-25). Across them the median is $59,970 four years after completion, with a typical debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.36× and 86% of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold. Indicatively, 1 of the 152 programs with both earnings and a benchmark fall below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026); the rest clear it.
National ranking
| # | Institution | Earn 4yr | % > threshold | Median debt | Debt/earn | Earnings premium | 2 of 3 yrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Mason UniversityVA · Master's | $114,744 n=17 | 91% 5yr | — | — | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 2 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Master's | $111,616 n=33 | 100% 1yr | $27,416 | 0.25× | Above +81% | — |
| 3 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Master's | $102,798 n=29 | 94% 5yr | — | — | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania State University-World CampusPA · Master's | $102,798 n=29 | 94% 5yr | — | — | Above +60% | Clears 2/2 |
| 5 | George Washington UniversityDC · Master's | $100,602 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +16% | — |
| 6 | University of DenverCO · Master's | $90,604 n=29 | 100% 5yr | $39,198 | 0.43× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 7 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Master's | $90,418 n=47 | 100% 5yr | $33,037 | 0.36× | Above +21% | Clears 2/2 |
| 8 | University of Washington-Tacoma CampusWA · Master's | $90,418 n=47 | 100% 5yr | $33,037 | 0.36× | Above +21% | Clears 2/2 |
| 9 | University of KentuckyKY · Grad cert | $88,628 n=18 | — | — | — | Above +56% | — |
| 10 | California State University-Long BeachCA · Master's | $87,165 n=41 | 97% 1yr | $20,500 | 0.23× | Above +16% | Below 1/2 |
| 11 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Grad cert | $86,247 n=24 | 100% 5yr | $41,000 | 0.47× | Above +15% | Clears 2/2 |
| 12 | University of DenverCO · Grad cert | $85,219 n=27 | 100% 5yr | $33,952 | 0.40× | Above +26% | Below 1/2 |
| 13 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Post-bacc cert | $83,548 n=116 | 81% 1yr | — | — | Above +30% | — |
| 14 | University of Southern CaliforniaCA · Master's | $83,256 n=23 | 97% 5yr | $58,405 | 0.70× | Above +11% | Clears 2/2 |
| 15 | Duke UniversityNC · Post-bacc cert | $81,405 n=29 | 93% 1yr | — | — | Above +39% | — |
| 16 | University of ArizonaAZ · Master's | $80,622 n=28 | 97% 5yr | $33,662 | 0.42× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 17 | University of Central ArkansasAR · Master's | $79,722 n=19 | — | — | — | Above +46% | — |
| 18 | George Washington UniversityDC · Bachelor's | $78,390 n=19 | — | $25,000 | 0.32× | Above +117% | — |
| 19 | Temple UniversityPA · Master's | $78,144 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +22% | — |
| 20 | University of ConnecticutCT · Bachelor's | $76,851 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +82% | — |
| 21 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointCT · Bachelor's | $76,851 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +82% | — |
| 22 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusCT · Bachelor's | $76,851 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +82% | — |
| 23 | University of Connecticut-StamfordCT · Bachelor's | $76,851 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +82% | — |
| 24 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusCT · Bachelor's | $76,851 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +82% | — |
| 25 | Clark UniversityMA · Master's | $76,513 n=27 | 100% 5yr | — | — | Above +1% | Clears 2/2 |
| 26 | DePaul UniversityIL · UG cert | $76,354 n=18 | — | $23,412 | 0.31× | Above +102% | — |
| 27 | Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleIL · Bachelor's | $75,877 n=29 | 94% 5yr | $18,750 | 0.25× | Above +101% | Clears 2/2 |
| 28 | California State University-SacramentoCA · Bachelor's | $75,234 n=36 | 80% 5yr | $15,974 | 0.21× | Above +96% | Clears 2/2 |
| 29 | University of Nevada-RenoNV · Bachelor's | $74,864 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +99% | — |
| 30 | George Mason UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $74,692 n=17 | 91% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.27× | Above +96% | Clears 2/2 |
| 31 | Dartmouth CollegeNH · Bachelor's | $72,985 n=26 | 82% 1yr | — | — | Above +65% | — |
| 32 | North Carolina State University at RaleighNC · Post-bacc cert | $72,630 n=16 | 93% 1yr | — | — | Above +24% | — |
| 33 | University of North DakotaND · Post-bacc cert | $71,944 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +24% | — |
| 34 | Syracuse UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $71,543 n=19 | — | $27,000 | 0.38× | Above +88% | — |
| 35 | Binghamton UniversityNY · Bachelor's | $71,207 n=35 | 90% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.29× | Above +87% | Clears 2/2 |
| 36 | Florida State UniversityFL · Master's | $69,641 n=35 | 88% 1yr | $25,125 | 0.36× | Above +25% | — |
| 37 | California State University-ChicoCA · Bachelor's | $69,500 n=21 | — | — | — | Above +81% | Clears 2/2 |
| 38 | Illinois State UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $69,383 n=24 | 66% 1yr | $16,750 | 0.24× | Above +84% | — |
| 39 | California State University-NorthridgeCA · Bachelor's | $69,323 n=33 | 81% 5yr | $12,500 | 0.18× | Above +80% | Clears 2/2 |
| 40 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Master's | $69,050 n=25 | 93% 1yr | $30,093 | 0.44× | Above +12% | — |
| 41 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Master's | $69,050 n=25 | 93% 1yr | $30,093 | 0.44× | Above +12% | — |
| 42 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusPA · Bachelor's | $68,993 n=32 | 86% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.38× | Above +83% | Clears 2/2 |
| 43 | University at BuffaloNY · Bachelor's | $68,176 n=19 | — | $24,510 | 0.36× | Above +79% | Clears 2/2 |
| 44 | University of California-Santa BarbaraCA · Bachelor's | $67,521 n=72 | 83% 5yr | $14,000 | 0.21× | Above +76% | Clears 2/2 |
| 45 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusNM · Bachelor's | $67,336 n=17 | — | $19,711 | 0.29× | Above +107% | — |
| 46 | University of FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $67,276 n=34 | 73% 5yr | $16,407 | 0.24× | Above +99% | Clears 2/2 |
| 47 | University of Florida-OnlineFL · Bachelor's | $67,276 n=34 | 73% 5yr | $16,407 | 0.24× | Above +99% | Clears 2/2 |
| 48 | University of California-Los AngelesCA · Bachelor's | $67,193 n=124 | 65% | $13,296 | 0.20× | Above +75% | Clears 2/2 |
| 49 | California State University-FresnoCA · Bachelor's | $66,863 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +74% | Clears 2/2 |
| 50 | Metropolitan State University of DenverCO · Bachelor's | $66,429 n=17 | 84% 1yr | — | — | Above +60% | — |
| 51 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeLA · Bachelor's | $66,168 n=21 | — | — | — | Above +90% | — |
| 52 | Park UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $65,890 n=22 | — | — | — | Above +84% | — |
| 53 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $65,759 n=120 | 86% 5yr | $24,293 | 0.37× | Above +79% | Clears 2/2 |
| 54 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionAZ · Bachelor's | $65,759 n=120 | 86% 5yr | $24,293 | 0.37× | Above +79% | Clears 2/2 |
| 55 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $65,259 n=48 | 83% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.30× | Above +72% | Clears 2/2 |
| 56 | Texas A&M University-College StationTX · Bachelor's | $65,228 n=65 | 90% 5yr | $16,479 | 0.25× | Above +82% | Clears 2/2 |
| 57 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusWA · Bachelor's | $64,950 n=71 | 85% 5yr | $17,501 | 0.27× | Above +52% | Clears 2/2 |
| 58 | Brigham Young UniversityUT · Bachelor's | $64,875 n=43 | 73% 5yr | $11,210 | 0.17× | Above +63% | Clears 2/2 |
| 59 | University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownPA · UG cert | $64,681 n=56 | 81% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.36× | Above +72% | — |
| 60 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPA · UG cert | $64,681 n=56 | 81% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.36× | Above +72% | — |
| 61 | Temple UniversityPA · UG cert | $64,668 n=17 | 55% 1yr | $21,500 | 0.33× | Above +72% | — |
| 62 | University of Maryland-College ParkMD · Bachelor's | $63,835 n=68 | 90% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.36× | Above +52% | Clears 2/2 |
| 63 | James Madison UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $63,768 n=60 | 87% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.31× | Above +68% | Clears 2/2 |
| 64 | San Francisco State UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $63,590 n=35 | 76% 5yr | $16,359 | 0.26× | Above +65% | Clears 2/2 |
| 65 | Radford UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $63,552 n=22 | — | $25,000 | 0.39× | Above +67% | — |
| 66 | Central Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $62,999 n=18 | — | $26,250 | 0.42× | Above +80% | — |
| 67 | Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $62,659 n=21 | 90% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.37× | Above +66% | Clears 2/2 |
| 68 | University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWI · Bachelor's | $62,589 n=16 | 87% 5yr | $18,875 | 0.30× | Above +61% | Clears 2/2 |
| 69 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignIL · Bachelor's | $62,504 n=19 | — | $24,623 | 0.39× | Above +66% | — |
| 70 | The University of Texas at AustinTX · Bachelor's | $62,438 n=71 | 87% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.34× | Above +75% | Clears 2/2 |
| 71 | University of Northern ColoradoCO · Bachelor's | $62,369 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +50% | — |
| 72 | Grand Valley State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $61,831 n=23 | 100% 5yr | $19,324 | 0.31× | Above +76% | Clears 2/2 |
| 73 | Texas State UniversityTX · UG cert | $61,225 n=34 | — | $25,385 | 0.41× | Above +71% | — |
| 74 | Texas Tech UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $60,831 n=17 | — | $20,500 | 0.34× | Above +70% | — |
| 75 | Texas State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $60,646 n=84 | 89% 5yr | $20,123 | 0.33× | Above +70% | Clears 2/2 |
| 76 | Ohio State University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $60,363 n=89 | 90% 5yr | $20,500 | 0.34× | Above +64% | Clears 2/2 |
| 77 | University of IowaIA · Bachelor's | $59,578 n=18 | — | $19,572 | 0.33× | Above +55% | — |
| 78 | Florida Atlantic UniversityFL · UG cert | $59,554 n=24 | 66% 1yr | $18,750 | 0.32× | Above +76% | — |
| 79 | SUNY College at GeneseoNY · Bachelor's | $59,528 n=26 | 64% 1yr | $14,575 | 0.24× | Above +57% | — |
| 80 | University of South Carolina-ColumbiaSC · Bachelor's | $59,472 n=25 | 90% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.36× | Above +73% | Clears 2/2 |
| 81 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonWI · Bachelor's | $59,424 n=42 | 92% 5yr | $18,689 | 0.32× | Above +52% | Clears 2/2 |
| 82 | Minnesota State University-MankatoMN · UG cert | $59,174 n=34 | — | $22,000 | 0.37× | Above +48% | — |
| 83 | Salem State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $58,593 n=33 | 79% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.37× | Above +35% | Clears 2/2 |
| 84 | University of Minnesota-DuluthMN · Bachelor's | $58,569 n=22 | — | $14,149 | 0.24× | Above +47% | — |
| 85 | Salisbury UniversityMD · Bachelor's | $58,548 n=37 | 97% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.43× | Above +39% | Clears 2/2 |
| 86 | Appalachian State UniversityNC · Bachelor's | $58,289 n=27 | 94% 5yr | $18,125 | 0.31× | Above +70% | Clears 2/2 |
| 87 | Eastern Washington UniversityWA · UG cert | $58,134 n=19 | — | $24,333 | 0.42× | Above +36% | Clears 2/2 |
| 88 | University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireWI · Bachelor's | $58,129 n=51 | 84% 5yr | $21,001 | 0.36× | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 89 | San Diego State UniversityCA · Bachelor's | $58,004 n=24 | — | $14,999 | 0.26× | Above +51% | — |
| 90 | Keene State CollegeNH · Bachelor's | $57,900 n=16 | 77% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.47× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 91 | Plymouth State UniversityNH · UG cert | $57,887 n=33 | — | $27,000 | 0.47× | Above +31% | — |
| 92 | Millersville University of PennsylvaniaPA · Bachelor's | $57,825 n=18 | — | $26,500 | 0.46× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 93 | University of Colorado BoulderCO · Bachelor's | $57,677 n=26 | 74% 5yr | $16,500 | 0.29× | Above +39% | Clears 2/2 |
| 94 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeWI · Bachelor's | $57,604 n=41 | 83% 5yr | $22,361 | 0.39× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 95 | Rowan UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $57,567 n=50 | 95% 5yr | $22,500 | 0.39× | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 96 | Bridgewater State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $57,550 n=20 | 77% 5yr | $27,000 | 0.47× | Above +32% | Clears 2/2 |
| 97 | Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaPA · UG cert | $57,518 n=24 | 96% 5yr | $22,250 | 0.39× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 98 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaCA · Bachelor's | $57,424 n=44 | 85% 5yr | $13,000 | 0.23× | Above +49% | Clears 2/2 |
| 99 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusCO · Bachelor's | $57,285 n=45 | 79% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.38× | Above +38% | Clears 2/2 |
| 100 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteNC · Bachelor's | $57,208 n=34 | 93% 5yr | $22,750 | 0.40× | Above +67% | Clears 2/2 |
| 101 | SUNY OneontaNY · Bachelor's | $57,154 n=23 | — | $20,204 | 0.35× | Above +50% | — |
| 102 | West Virginia UniversityWV · Bachelor's | $57,075 n=26 | 87% 5yr | $23,089 | 0.41× | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 103 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickNJ · Bachelor's | $56,979 n=17 | — | $21,380 | 0.38× | Above +43% | — |
| 104 | University of LouisvilleKY · Bachelor's | $56,775 n=28 | 81% 5yr | $21,500 | 0.38× | Above +64% | Clears 2/2 |
| 105 | Michigan State UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $56,515 n=25 | 92% 5yr | $25,250 | 0.45× | Above +61% | Clears 2/2 |
| 106 | Grand Valley State UniversityMI · UG cert | $56,401 n=26 | 67% 1yr | $22,250 | 0.39× | Above +61% | — |
| 107 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusOH · Bachelor's | $56,381 n=42 | 79% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.46× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 108 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusOH · Bachelor's | $56,381 n=42 | 79% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.46× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 109 | Ohio University-Main CampusOH · Bachelor's | $56,381 n=42 | 79% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.46× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 110 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusOH · Bachelor's | $56,381 n=42 | 79% 5yr | $26,000 | 0.46× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 111 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaMO · Bachelor's | $56,191 n=24 | — | $18,786 | 0.33× | Above +57% | — |
| 112 | University of OregonOR · Bachelor's | $56,165 n=34 | 79% 5yr | $18,917 | 0.34× | Above +53% | Clears 2/2 |
| 113 | Sam Houston State UniversityTX · Bachelor's | $56,151 n=23 | 73% 5yr | $18,750 | 0.33× | Above +57% | Clears 2/2 |
| 114 | Minnesota State University-MankatoMN · Bachelor's | $56,022 n=28 | 82% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.35× | Above +40% | Clears 2/2 |
| 115 | University of WyomingWY · Bachelor's | $55,889 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +38% | — |
| 116 | Northwest Missouri State UniversityMO · Bachelor's | $55,656 n=18 | — | $19,060 | 0.34× | Above +56% | — |
| 117 | University of North Carolina at GreensboroNC · Bachelor's | $55,532 n=21 | 85% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.35× | Above +62% | Clears 2/2 |
| 118 | Central Connecticut State UniversityCT · Bachelor's | $55,274 n=16 | 79% 5yr | $22,250 | 0.40× | Above +31% | Below 1/2 |
| 119 | University of South FloridaFL · Bachelor's | $54,944 n=24 | 100% 5yr | $25,000 | 0.46× | Above +63% | — |
| 120 | University of UtahUT · Bachelor's | $54,757 n=23 | 70% 1yr | $13,875 | 0.25× | Above +38% | — |
| 121 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleTN · Bachelor's | $54,656 n=35 | 94% 5yr | $24,500 | 0.45× | Above +56% | Clears 2/2 |
| 122 | Portland State UniversityOR · Bachelor's | $54,310 n=28 | 69% 5yr | $21,771 | 0.40× | Above +48% | Clears 2/2 |
| 123 | Ball State UniversityIN · Bachelor's | $53,992 n=29 | 81% 5yr | $24,750 | 0.46× | Above +44% | Clears 2/2 |
| 124 | Framingham State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $53,840 n=18 | 93% 5yr | $23,250 | 0.43× | Above +24% | Clears 2/2 |
| 125 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMN · Bachelor's | $53,666 n=37 | 89% 5yr | $19,750 | 0.37× | Above +34% | Clears 2/2 |
| 126 | Kent State University at KentOH · Bachelor's | $53,656 n=17 | — | $26,112 | 0.49× | Above +46% | Clears 2/2 |
| 127 | Eastern Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $53,455 n=17 | — | $15,001 | 0.28× | Above +53% | — |
| 128 | The University of Texas at San AntonioTX · Bachelor's | $53,449 n=19 | — | $16,750 | 0.31× | Above +49% | — |
| 129 | Montclair State UniversityNJ · Bachelor's | $53,285 n=17 | — | — | — | Above +34% | — |
| 130 | Central Washington UniversityWA · Bachelor's | $53,081 n=19 | 96% 5yr | $25,600 | 0.48× | Above +25% | Clears 2/2 |
| 131 | University of Mary WashingtonVA · Bachelor's | $53,081 n=19 | 84% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.37× | Above +40% | Clears 2/2 |
| 132 | Kennesaw State UniversityGA · Bachelor's | $53,044 n=26 | 78% 5yr | $35,625 | 0.67× | Above +50% | Clears 2/2 |
| 133 | University of North TexasTX · Bachelor's | $52,712 n=43 | 85% 5yr | $18,275 | 0.35× | Above +47% | Clears 2/2 |
| 134 | Macalester CollegeMN · Bachelor's | $52,557 n=31 | 79% 5yr | $19,049 | 0.36× | Above +31% | Clears 2/2 |
| 135 | Florida State UniversityFL · Bachelor's | $52,537 n=32 | 100% | $26,707 | 0.51× | Above +56% | Clears 2/2 |
| 136 | Appalachian State UniversityNC · UG cert | $50,551 n=25 | 82% 5yr | $17,558 | 0.35× | Above +47% | Clears 2/2 |
| 137 | University of North AlabamaAL · Bachelor's | $50,445 n=34 | 86% 5yr | $29,750 | 0.59× | Above +46% | Clears 2/2 |
| 138 | Western Michigan UniversityMI · Bachelor's | $49,921 n=29 | 96% 5yr | $22,250 | 0.45× | Above +42% | Clears 2/2 |
| 139 | Augustana CollegeIL · Bachelor's | $49,763 n=18 | — | $27,000 | 0.54× | Above +32% | — |
| 140 | Pennsylvania Western UniversityPA · Bachelor's | $49,517 n=31 | 79% 5yr | — | — | Above +31% | — |
| 141 | University of North Carolina at Chapel HillNC · Bachelor's | $49,476 n=27 | 73% 1yr | $14,963 | 0.30× | Above +44% | — |
| 142 | The University of AlabamaAL · Bachelor's | $49,269 n=18 | 91% 5yr | $19,750 | 0.40× | Above +43% | Clears 2/2 |
| 143 | Clark UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $49,230 n=20 | — | $26,041 | 0.53× | Above +13% | — |
| 144 | California State University-FullertonCA · Bachelor's | $48,979 n=24 | 71% 5yr | $17,700 | 0.36× | Above +27% | Clears 2/2 |
| 145 | University of Colorado Colorado SpringsCO · Bachelor's | $48,892 n=78 | 70% | $17,500 | 0.36× | Above +18% | Clears 2/2 |
| 146 | California State University-Long BeachCA · Bachelor's | $48,715 n=50 | 100% | $18,000 | 0.37× | Above +27% | Clears 2/2 |
| 147 | Old Dominion UniversityVA · Bachelor's | $48,280 n=28 | 86% 5yr | $19,500 | 0.40× | Above +27% | Clears 2/2 |
| 148 | Northern Illinois UniversityIL · Bachelor's | $47,738 n=21 | 94% 5yr | $22,500 | 0.47× | Above +27% | Clears 2/2 |
| 149 | Jacksonville State UniversityAL · Bachelor's | $46,817 n=16 | — | — | — | Above +36% | — |
| 150 | Worcester State UniversityMA · Bachelor's | $41,054 n=21 | — | — | — | Below -6% | — |
| 151 | University of VermontVT · Bachelor's | $40,871 n=16 | — | $16,034 | 0.39× | Above +4% | — |
| 152 | University of Puerto Rico-Rio PiedrasPR · Bachelor's | $31,499 n=29 | — | — | — | Above +92% | — |
% > threshold is ED's own share of graduates earning above the federal earnings threshold, taken from the best available measurement window (4-, 5- or 1-year) pooled across all nine College Scorecard Field-of-Study releases; a chip marks any figure not on the 4-year window. Earnings premium compares median earnings four years out to the U.S. Census ACS median for a high-school graduate (undergraduate credentials) or bachelor's-degree holder (graduate credentials) in the institution's state. 2 of 3 yrs flags programs below that benchmark in two of the latest three reported cohort-years — the statutory trigger under the 2025 federal earnings-premium test (effective July 1, 2026). Indicative estimates; the Department of Education's official determination may differ. Figures lag the current year by 2–3 years.
By state — median earnings, 4 yrs out
| State | Median earn 4yr | Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $76,851 | 6 |
| Arizona | $69,050 | 5 |
| New York | $68,176 | 5 |
| California | $67,357 | 14 |
| Illinois | $65,944 | 6 |
| Washington | $64,950 | 5 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,681 | 12 |
| Virginia | $63,768 | 7 |
| Florida | $63,415 | 6 |
| Colorado | $62,369 | 7 |
| Texas | $60,738 | 8 |
| Wisconsin | $59,424 | 5 |
| New Hampshire | $57,900 | 3 |
| North Carolina | $57,208 | 7 |
| New Jersey | $56,979 | 3 |
| Michigan | $56,458 | 6 |
| Ohio | $56,381 | 6 |
| Missouri | $56,191 | 3 |
| Minnesota | $56,022 | 5 |
| Massachusetts | $55,695 | 6 |
| Alabama | $49,269 | 3 |
States with at least 3 reporting Geography and Cartography programs, by median graduate earnings.
Frequently asked
Which colleges have the highest-paying Geography and Cartography programs?
By median earnings four years after completion, the highest-paying Geography and Cartography programs in this dataset are George Mason University ($114,744), University of Wisconsin-Madison ($111,616), Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus ($102,798). Earnings reflect College Scorecard field-of-study data (2024-25) and vary by credential level and location.
Are Geography and Cartography programs at risk under the federal earnings-premium test?
Indicatively, 1 of the 152 Geography and Cartography programs with both earnings and a state/national benchmark have median graduate earnings below the earnings-premium benchmark used by the 2025 federal test (effective July 1, 2026), under which a program can lose Title IV eligibility if its graduates earn less than a typical worker without the credential for 2 of 3 years. This estimate uses College Scorecard earnings vs U.S. Census ACS medians; the Department of Education's official determination uses its own cohort definition and may differ.
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Source: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard Field of Study, 2014–15 through 2022–23 cohorts plus the most-recent snapshot (2024-25); threshold pass-rates pooled across all nine releases. Earnings-premium benchmarks from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS). Compiled by Ibex Insights. See the methodology.