Geography and Cartography at DePaul University

Based on similar geography programs in Illinois, DePaul's estimated first-year earnings of $41,449 land right at the state median—matching what peers like Augustana College and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign typically produce. That's solidly middle-of-the-pack performance, neither exceptional nor concerning. The estimated $25,000 in debt is slightly above typical for geography programs nationally ($22,657), but the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.60 suggests manageable payments in a field where salaries don't spike dramatically in early career years.

The challenge with geography and cartography degrees is that the career path matters enormously. GIS analysts and urban planners can command significantly higher salaries than general research positions, but this program's estimated outcomes don't tell us which direction DePaul graduates typically pursue. The Illinois comparison programs show a $10,000 spread between the highest and lowest earners, suggesting that specialization and employer type drive much of the variation. DePaul's urban Chicago location could be an advantage for internships with city planning departments, engineering firms, or tech companies using spatial data.

For parents considering this investment, the estimated figures suggest reasonable but not impressive returns. If your student is genuinely passionate about spatial analysis and has a clear career target—particularly in growing fields like GIS or data visualization—the debt burden appears workable. But given the limited graduate sample size that triggered these estimates, you'll want direct conversations with the department about job placement and whether graduates are landing roles that justify the credential.