Geography and Cartography at Grand Valley State University

Grand Valley State University's Geography and Cartography certificate produces first-year earnings of $36,895—about $4,400 below the national median for similar programs. That said, Michigan is a particularly weak market for geography credentials, and GVSU actually sits at the state median, landing in the 60th percentile among Michigan programs. The problem isn't necessarily this school's execution; it's that geography certificates struggle to compete in the Michigan job market across the board.

The debt picture is reasonable at $23,250, creating a manageable 0.63 debt-to-earnings ratio. Students will owe about 63 cents for every dollar they earn in their first year, which is workable if those earnings grow. The bigger question is career trajectory: certificate programs can serve as stepping stones to bachelor's degrees or specialized technical roles, but at under $37,000 starting pay, graduates need a clear plan for advancement. For students certain about GIS work or urban planning pathways where this certificate provides a foundation, the investment pencils out. For those treating it as a standalone credential hoping to immediately launch a career, the modest earnings suggest reconsidering whether a full bachelor's degree might open more doors—or whether Michigan is the right state for geography-focused work at all.