Geography and Cartography at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt

**Sample Size Warning Overshadows Otherwise Manageable Numbers**

With fewer than 30 graduates tracked, these figures could swing dramatically with just a few data points. That said, the $27,355 starting salary lands well below both California's state median ($35,426) and the national average ($38,726) for geography programs—placing it in just the 25th percentile among California schools. For context, Sacramento State geography grads earn $48,227 their first year, nearly double what this data shows for Humboldt.

The debt load of $17,412 is actually lower than California's median for the field, creating a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.64—not catastrophic, but less favorable than it appears when the baseline earnings are this low. Cal Poly Humboldt serves a predominantly working-class student body (46% on Pell grants), so the modest debt matters, but the real question is whether geography majors here struggle with early career access or if we're simply seeing statistical noise from a tiny sample.

If your student is set on this program at Humboldt, understand they may need graduate training or specialized GIS skills to reach competitive earnings. The 99% admission rate suggests accessibility, but given how far these numbers lag behind peer CSU programs, verify current outcomes directly with the department before committing—small samples can hide either problems or opportunities that broader data would reveal.