Geography and Cartography at California State University-Northridge

Cal State Northridge's Geography and Cartography program shows a striking earnings trajectory that masks a difficult first year. Graduates start at just $27,002—in the 5th percentile nationally and well below California's $35,426 median for this field. That's roughly $11,000 less than what geography graduates earn at Cal State Sacramento or Chico. However, by year four, earnings more than double to $54,884, ultimately surpassing most California programs in this field.

The minimal $8,250 debt load makes this volatile path more manageable than it might otherwise be. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.31, even that challenging first year remains financially viable, and graduates aren't burdened with the $22,657 national median debt while waiting for their careers to accelerate. The question is whether students can weather that initial period—likely working in retail, food service, or other general employment before transitioning into geography-related roles.

For families who can provide financial support during those first post-graduation years, this becomes a reasonable option given the low debt and eventual earnings recovery. But students expecting immediate career launch or those needing to be financially independent right after graduation should understand they're essentially betting on a four-year timeline rather than an immediate return. The program serves a heavily Pell-eligible population (56%), which may make that delayed payoff particularly challenging for students without family resources to bridge the gap.