Geography and Cartography at Ball State University

Ball State's Geography and Cartography program demonstrates something unusual: graduates who start modestly but surge past state and national patterns. While first-year earnings of $34,274 land at Indiana's median and trail the national benchmark by about $4,500, four years later these graduates reach $49,490—a 44% jump that outpaces typical career trajectories for this major. The $26,000 debt load sits right at the state median but is manageable given the strong earnings progression.

Within Indiana's small geography program landscape (just 7 schools), Ball State performs solidly at the 60th percentile despite that cautious start. More importantly, graduates aren't locked into the lower earnings tier—their mid-career numbers suggest they're moving into roles that value the technical skills this program builds, whether in GIS analysis, urban planning, or environmental consulting. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.76 means less than a year's salary in loans, which becomes increasingly comfortable as earnings climb.

The catch is patience. Families should plan for that first year or two when entry-level positions pay modestly, possibly requiring some financial cushion. But for students interested in spatial analysis and mapping technology—fields with growing demand—Ball State offers a path that improves significantly over time without the debt burden that would make that early period genuinely difficult.