Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Fayetteville State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,929

Est. from NC median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,851

Est. from NC median (3 programs)

Analysis

Geography programs in North Carolina cluster tightly around $42,000 in first-year earnings, and Fayetteville State's program—based on outcomes from peer programs statewide—appears to track right in that range. With estimated debt around $22,850, graduates would owe roughly half their first-year salary, a manageable ratio that suggests monthly payments won't overwhelm an entry-level budget. What's particularly worth noting: these projections align almost perfectly with national benchmarks for geography bachelor's degrees, where typical earnings hover near $38,700 and debt near $22,600.

The challenge is that we're working entirely from estimates here—both the earnings and debt figures come from comparable geography programs across North Carolina, not from tracking Fayetteville State graduates specifically. The small sample size that triggered this estimation could mean the program is newly established, has modest enrollment, or that graduates dispersed to locations where the Department of Education couldn't track them. Any of those scenarios warrants a conversation with the department about job placement patterns and alumni outcomes.

For families concerned about return on investment, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable economics—you're not looking at outsized debt for meager returns. But given that you're relying on peer program data rather than this school's actual track record, confirm that Fayetteville State's geography graduates are indeed finding work in the field at comparable rates to UNC-Chapel Hill or Charlotte before committing.

Where Fayetteville State 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
Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville	$3,969	$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 Fayetteville State University, approximately 53% 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.