Geography and Cartography at CUNY Lehman College

Based on comparable Geography programs across New York, Lehman's estimated first-year earnings of $36,271 land right at the state median—putting graduates in roughly the same position as peers at SUNY schools statewide. The estimated debt load of $20,548 actually runs lower than both the state and national medians for this field, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57 that suggests manageable repayment. For a CUNY institution serving predominantly Pell-eligible students (61%), these figures indicate the program delivers competitive preparation without the debt burden that often accompanies four-year degrees.

The challenge is that Geography and Cartography Bachelor's degrees nationally produce modest early earnings—the national median sits just above $38,700. While some New York programs like Binghamton push graduates past $40,000 in year one, others fall well below Lehman's estimated range. Geographic Information Systems skills and technical cartography competencies typically command stronger wages than general geography knowledge, so the curriculum emphasis matters significantly here.

For parents weighing this investment: a $20,500 debt load is workable on $36,000 in annual income, particularly through income-driven repayment plans. The real question is whether your student plans to pursue GIS certification, graduate work in urban planning or environmental science, or government positions where geography credentials open doors. Without that strategic pathway, these earnings may feel limiting in New York's high cost-of-living environment.