Geography and Cartography at California State University-Chico

CSU-Chico's Geography and Cartography program graduates earn about $10,000 more in their first year than the typical California graduate in this field, placing them squarely in the middle of the state's geography programs—well behind Sacramento State's $48,000 but comparable to Sonoma State and ahead of prestigious programs at UCLA and UCSB. Students carry $19,250 in debt, which is manageable at less than half of first-year earnings, though higher than California's median for this major. Four years out, earnings climb to nearly $51,000, representing solid 26% growth.

The program serves a largely middle-class student body at a highly accessible institution, and the numbers suggest it delivers reasonable value despite the geographical constraints of Chico's more remote location. However, the small sample size—fewer than 30 graduates tracked—means these figures could shift considerably with different cohorts. A few high or low earners can dramatically sway the averages.

For families considering this program, the key question is career trajectory. Geography and cartography increasingly intersect with GIS technology and data analysis, fields where skills matter more than pedigree. If your student is drawn to this major, CSU-Chico offers a cost-effective path with debt levels that won't constrain early-career choices, though they shouldn't expect dramatic income growth beyond the initial years.