Location: Allendale, MI•In-State Tuition: $14,628•Out-of-State Tuition: $20,820•Admission Rate: 95%•Avg SAT: 1079
Median Earnings (1yr)
$35,838
37th percentile
40th percentile in Michigan
Median Debt
$20,500
10% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.57 ManageableSample: 24 graduates Limited data

Analysis

Grand Valley State University's geography program graduates earn slightly below both state and national medians, landing in the 40th percentile among Michigan programs. With first-year earnings of $35,838 versus Michigan's $38,470 median, graduates start about $2,600 behind their in-state peers. The one bright spot: debt loads here run $3,250 lower than the state average, keeping the debt burden manageable at just over half a year's starting salary.

The 29% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates find their footing, though even at year four, the $46,379 median trails what some Michigan programs deliver right out of the gate. Eastern Michigan, for instance, posts starting salaries $5,000 higher. The small sample size here (under 30 graduates tracked) means one or two outlier careers could swing these numbers significantly, so treat them as directional rather than definitive.

For families looking at geography programs in Michigan, this represents a below-average but not disastrous option. The combination of accessible admission (95% acceptance rate), moderate debt, and steady earnings growth makes it workable for students committed to this field—but parents should know their student will likely start behind peers at competing Michigan schools and may take several years to catch up financially.

Where Grand Valley State University Stands

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

Grand Valley State UniversityOther geography and cartography programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How Grand Valley State University graduates compare to all programs nationally

Grand Valley State University earns $36k — 37th percentile among geography and cartography bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
Grand Valley State University$35,838$46,379+29%
University of Maryland-College Park$40,913$65,748+61%
Texas A&M University-College Station$54,204$64,337+19%
The University of Texas at Austin$36,878$61,313+66%
University of California-Los Angeles$36,776$60,363+64%

Compare to Similar Programs in Michigan

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Michigan (9 total in state)

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
Grand Valley State UniversityAllendale$14,628$35,838$46,379$20,5000.57
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti$15,510$41,103—$17,4250.42
National Median—$38,726—$22,6570.59

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 Grand Valley State University, approximately 26% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 24 graduates with reported earnings and 25 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.