Geography and Cartography at California State University-Fresno

Similar geography programs across California suggest starting earnings around $35,400, which jumps to more than $50,000 by year four—a trajectory that hints at decent career momentum in this field. With estimated debt at roughly $15,000, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 means graduates could potentially clear this balance within a year or two of focused repayment, even on modest starting salaries.

The challenge is that other CSU campuses with reported data show stronger outcomes. Sacramento grads start near $48,000, and several peer programs clear $40,000 in year one. Fresno's estimated figure trails both the national median ($38,700) and its CSU counterparts by noticeable margins. Whether that reflects Fresno's job market, program focus, or simply the uncertainty inherent in estimated data isn't clear from these numbers.

What works in this program's favor is the relatively low debt burden—about $7,500 below the national median for geography degrees—and meaningful earnings growth by year four. For families, the question becomes whether saving on debt upfront is worth potentially starting $5,000-$12,000 behind peers from other California programs. If your student can leverage Fresno's lower costs while building the GIS or technical skills that command higher salaries, this could be a reasonable path. Just recognize you're working with estimates here, not guarantees tied to this specific program's track record.