Geography and Cartography (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at DePaul University

Median Earnings (1yr)

$47,464

95th percentile

60th percentile in Illinois

Median Debt

$23,412

5% above national median

Analysis

DePaul's geography certificate program reports first-year earnings of $47,464—well above the $41,294 national median and landing in the 95th percentile nationally. That's impressive on paper, but the small sample size (under 30 graduates) means a handful of high earners could skew the entire picture. In Illinois specifically, this sits at the 60th percentile, suggesting the earnings reflect Chicago's market more than the program's exceptional preparation.

The debt load of $23,412 produces a manageable 0.49 ratio to first-year earnings, meaning graduates owe roughly half their starting salary. That's reasonable for a certificate program, though it's worth questioning whether the same career outcome might be achievable through shorter, cheaper pathways. Geography certificates often serve as add-ons to existing degrees or career transitions, so the value depends heavily on what else your child brings to the table.

With only seven schools offering this certificate in Illinois and limited data points, you're essentially taking a leap of faith. If your child is already in the Chicago area and this complements a related degree or work experience, the numbers suggest modest upside. As a standalone investment, though, the small sample makes it impossible to know if these earnings are typical or outliers.

Where DePaul University Stands

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

Earnings Distribution

How DePaul University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Geography and Cartography certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
DePaul UniversityChicago	$44,460	$47,464	—	$23,412	0.49
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato	$9,490	$50,411	—	—	—
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos	$11,450	$44,270	—	$25,385	0.57
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton	$4,879	$42,833	—	$19,692	0.46
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater	$8,250	$42,580	—	—	—
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe	$12,051	$41,627	—	$19,691	0.47
National Median	—	$41,294	—	$22,197	0.54

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 DePaul University, approximately 31% 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.