Geography and Cartography at Bridgewater State University

The $27,000 debt load here sits right at the Massachusetts median for geography programs, but the earnings trajectory tells a more interesting story. While first-year earnings are estimated from national peer programs at around $39,000, the school's own reported data shows graduates reaching $47,000 by year four—a meaningful climb that suggests either strong career progression or delayed access to better-paying opportunities in fields like GIS analysis or urban planning.

What's worth noting is how Bridgewater compares to the handful of other geography programs in Massachusetts. With the state median hovering around $31,000, the national-based estimate here points to outcomes more aligned with typical programs across the country than with Massachusetts competitors specifically. Salem State and Clark both show reported first-year earnings in the low $30,000s, though of course every program's mix of graduates (heading to grad school, starting careers, working in different sectors) varies considerably.

The 0.70 debt-to-earnings ratio based on that estimated starting figure is manageable by most standards, especially considering the low debt load relative to national norms. For parents evaluating this program, the key question is whether your student plans to pursue geography-related work immediately or continue into graduate study—many in this field eventually do—and whether that $27,000 debt remains reasonable across either path.