Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at East Carolina University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,929

Est. from NC median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,851

Est. from NC median (3 programs)

Analysis

Based on comparable geography programs in North Carolina, East Carolina's estimated $41,929 first-year earnings and $22,851 in debt point to a reasonably balanced start. The 0.54 debt-to-earnings ratio suggests graduates would need roughly half their first-year salary to cover educational debt—not ideal, but manageable in fields where geographic information systems skills command growing demand. North Carolina's geography programs cluster tightly around this earnings figure, with UNC-Chapel Hill and UNC-Charlotte graduates earning within $500 of ECU's estimate.

The concern here is uncertainty about actual outcomes. With too few graduates to report official data, we can't verify whether ECU's program specifically connects students to employers as effectively as peer institutions. Geography and cartography jobs vary dramatically depending on whether graduates enter government work (planning, environmental analysis) or private sector GIS roles, which can command significantly higher salaries after a few years of experience. The estimated figures represent a state median that may not reflect this program's particular strengths or placement patterns.

Given ECU's 90% admission rate and solid regional reputation, this program likely serves students well for North Carolina's mid-sized metro markets. But parents should confirm job placement specifics directly with the department—ask about internship partnerships, employer connections, and where recent graduates actually landed—before committing $23,000 in debt to a program whose outcomes remain officially unverified.

Where East Carolina University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (7 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
East Carolina UniversityGreenville	$7,361	$41,929*	—	$22,851*	—
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill	$8,989	$42,454*	—	—*	—
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte	$7,214	$42,210*	$60,251	$23,954*	0.57
Appalachian State UniversityBoone	$7,541	$41,648*	$50,526	$17,750*	0.43
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro	$7,593	$25,975*	$43,478	$22,851*	0.88
National Median	—	$38,726*	—	$22,657*	0.59

* Estimated from similar programs

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 East Carolina 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.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.