Geography and Cartography at Emory & Henry University

Three comparable Geography programs across Virginia suggest first-year earnings around $45,000 for this field—a figure that puts Emory & Henry in line with the state median and notably ahead of the $38,726 national benchmark. That's encouraging context, though the estimated $25,000 debt load is higher than Virginia's typical $20,500 for this major, likely reflecting the cost structure of a small private institution versus the state's larger public universities.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 sits in reasonable territory—not the bargain-basement numbers you'd see from top engineering programs, but manageable for a bachelor's degree. Geography graduates from peer programs in Virginia appear to cluster in a fairly narrow range ($39,000 to $49,000), which suggests the field offers stability even if not spectacular growth potential in early career years. The question becomes whether your student is genuinely drawn to spatial analysis, GIS work, or urban planning—fields where Geography majors typically land—or simply exploring liberal arts options.

With a 96% admission rate and 41% Pell eligibility, Emory & Henry serves students who might not access flagship universities, which adds value to the equation. But given that these numbers are estimates from similar programs rather than tracked outcomes from this specific school, you're making an educated guess rather than betting on proven results. If your student can graduate at or below that $25,000 debt estimate and has clear career direction in geospatial fields, the numbers work.