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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 represents manageable territory for a bachelor's degree, though the estimated $38,700 first-year salary—drawn from national benchmarks for geography programs—suggests moderate financial pressure early on. Similar geography programs nationally report median debt around $22,700, so Indiana State's estimated $22,400 falls in line with typical borrowing for this field. The challenge is that while this ratio beats many humanities programs, geography careers often require either specialized GIS skills or graduate work to unlock stronger earning potential, and these estimates can't tell us whether Indiana State's curriculum delivers the technical training employers seek.

The state picture adds complexity: Ball State's geography graduates earn around $34,300, about $4,400 less than the national median used here for Indiana State's estimate. If Indiana State's outcomes actually track closer to state norms than national ones, that would push the debt burden higher relative to earnings. With 39% of students on Pell grants, many families here are weighing these numbers carefully against immediate financial needs.

The bottom line: this program could work financially if your student pursues GIS certification or technical cartography roles that command higher pay, but the estimates leave real uncertainty about whether Indiana State's specific program positions graduates for those opportunities. Before committing, investigate the curriculum's technical depth and whether internships connect students to employers who value mapping skills—the difference between generic geography knowledge and marketable GIS expertise will determine whether these projected numbers hold up.

Where Indiana State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Indiana

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Indiana (7 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Indiana State UniversityTerre Haute	$9,992	$38,726*	—	$22,359*	—
Ball State UniversityMuncie	$10,758	$34,274*	$49,490	$26,000*	0.76
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 Indiana State University, approximately 39% 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 national median of 95 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.