Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Bard College at Simon's Rock

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,000

Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.65 looks manageable on paper, but the uncertainty here matters. Both the $38,726 earnings figure and $25,000 debt estimate come from peer programs nationally—we don't have actual outcomes for Simon's Rock graduates in this field. That national earnings figure aligns with what geography majors typically earn their first year out, but it's worth noting that other Massachusetts programs in this field actually report *lower* first-year earnings, with Salem State and Clark graduates earning in the low $30,000s.

Geography and cartography represents a specialized field where career outcomes can vary significantly based on whether graduates pursue GIS analysis, urban planning, or related technical roles versus more general positions. The estimated debt load sits slightly above the national median for these programs but below what other Massachusetts schools typically report. If the actual debt is higher or earnings lower than these peer-based estimates suggest, the financial picture tightens considerably.

For parents evaluating this program, the core challenge is making a decision with limited visibility into actual outcomes. The estimates suggest a reasonable but not exceptional financial proposition—assuming they reflect reality for Simon's Rock's small cohort of geography graduates. Given this uncertainty, families should have detailed conversations with the department about where recent graduates have actually landed and what support exists for breaking into geography's more technical, higher-paying roles.

Where Bard College at Simon's Rock Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all geography and cartography bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (11 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Bard College at Simon's RockGreat Barrington	$66,594	$38,726*	—	$25,000*	—
Salem State UniversitySalem	$11,978	$32,504*	$45,988	$27,000*	0.83
Clark UniversityWorcester	$55,160	$29,713*	—	$26,500*	0.89
National Median	—	$38,726*	—	$22,657*	0.59

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with geography and cartography graduates

Geographers

Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

$97,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

$78,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

$51,940/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bard College at Simon's Rock, approximately 23% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the national median of 95 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.