Geography and Cartography at Auburn University at Montgomery

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests manageable borrowing, with estimated first-year earnings of around $38,700 covering the typical $22,400 in loans taken for this degree. That national median puts Auburn Montgomery's geography program in line with what peer institutions produce, though Alabama's state median of $40,800 indicates some programs in the state do slightly better. The University of Alabama and University of North Alabama both report outcomes just above $40,000, suggesting geography degrees in Alabama generally cluster in a narrow range.

The difference between national and Alabama figures is modest—about $2,000—which means this program likely delivers fairly standard outcomes for the field. With 43% of students receiving Pell grants, affordability matters here, and the debt load appears reasonable for a field that doesn't typically command high starting salaries. Geography and cartography careers often require specific technical skills in GIS software, so students should verify that Auburn Montgomery's curriculum includes the spatial analysis training employers expect.

For families weighing this option, the estimated numbers point to a workable financial picture if your student is genuinely interested in geographic information systems, urban planning, or environmental analysis. The debt burden isn't alarming, but geography isn't a field where salaries jump dramatically after a few years, so graduates should expect steady rather than spectacular earnings growth.