Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Clark University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$29,713

11th percentile

40th percentile in Massachusetts

Median Debt

$26,500

17% above national median

Analysis

Clark's geography program sits right in the middle of Massachusetts options but lags significantly behind national outcomes—11th percentile nationally despite relatively modest debt. That $29,713 starting salary trails the national median by over $9,000, though it's fairly typical for Massachusetts geography graduates. The debt load of $26,500, while below the national median, creates a tight first-year budget with a debt-to-earnings ratio near 0.89.

The concerning part isn't just the initial earnings—it's what this means for a selective liberal arts university charging premium tuition. At a school with a 1339 average SAT, you'd expect better career outcomes. Geography can be a stepping stone to graduate work in urban planning, GIS, or environmental science, which might explain why some programs accept lower initial earnings. But without data on longer-term trajectories or graduate school placement, that's speculation.

The small sample size (under 30 graduates) adds real uncertainty here. With so few data points, a handful of students pursuing conservation internships or graduate school could skew the numbers significantly. If your child is committed to geography, ask Clark directly about career services support, alumni outcomes beyond year one, and whether their graduates typically continue to advanced degrees. This isn't a program where the immediate financial return justifies the investment on its own.

Where Clark University Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all geography and cartography bachelors's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How Clark University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Massachusetts

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Massachusetts (11 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Clark UniversityWorcester	$55,160	$29,713	—	$26,500	0.89
Salem State UniversitySalem	$11,978	$32,504	$45,988	$27,000	0.83
National Median	—	$38,726	—	$22,657	0.59

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with geography and cartography graduates

Geographers

Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

$97,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

$78,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

$51,940/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Clark University, approximately 21% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Sample Size: Based on 18 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.