Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Gustavus Adolphus College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,019

Est. from MN median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,000

Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

Minnesota's geography programs cluster tightly around $38,000 in first-year earnings, and Gustavus Adolphus appears to fit this mold based on comparable programs in the state. The estimated $25,000 debt load is notably higher than the state median of $19,774, though it remains manageable with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.66—meaning graduates would owe roughly eight months of their first-year salary.

The challenge here is that geography and cartography programs produce relatively modest starting salaries regardless of where you study. Even Minnesota State-Mankato, which reports the highest earnings in the state at just over $40,500, barely breaks above the national 75th percentile for this field. Gustavus's selective profile (1320 average SAT) suggests strong academics, but that selectivity doesn't appear to translate into meaningfully higher earnings for geography majors compared to less selective public universities in Minnesota.

For families weighing this program, the key question is whether the liberal arts environment at Gustavus justifies the extra debt relative to public alternatives. The earnings floor appears similar across Minnesota schools, so the $5,000+ premium in estimated debt should be evaluated against fit and experience rather than career outcomes alone.

Where Gustavus Adolphus College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Gustavus Adolphus CollegeSaint Peter	$54,310	$38,019*	—	$25,000*	—
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato	$9,490	$40,553*	$47,976	—*	—
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis	$16,488	$38,019*	$51,259	$20,500*	0.54
Macalester CollegeSaint Paul	$64,908	$30,053*	$41,857	$19,049*	0.63
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 Gustavus Adolphus College, approximately 21% 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 3 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.