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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

A Bachelor's in Geography and Cartography typically leads to first-year earnings around $38,700 nationally, with debt loads near $22,400—figures that appear reasonable for this field at Indiana University-Indianapolis. The estimated debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests graduates could manage repayment in about 7-8 months of gross income, which falls within a manageable range for a four-year degree. However, Indiana's geography programs show notably lower typical earnings than the national figure, with Ball State reporting $34,274 for its graduates—about $4,500 less than the national benchmark IU-Indianapolis's estimates are drawn from.

The challenge here is that geography and cartography sits at the intersection of several career paths—from urban planning to GIS analysis to environmental consulting—where earnings can vary considerably based on specialization and local demand. Indianapolis offers reasonable opportunities in government and corporate sectors, though Indiana overall shows weaker outcomes in this field compared to the national picture. The accessible admission profile (81% acceptance rate) serves a diverse student body, but the 36% Pell grant population suggests many families will be budget-conscious about the debt burden.

Given the limited actual data for this specific program, parents should investigate what specializations and job placement support IU-Indianapolis offers. The estimated numbers suggest modest but manageable outcomes, though Indiana's geography market appears softer than elsewhere. If your student has strong interest in spatial analysis or environmental work, verify what career services and internship connections exist before committing.

Where Indiana University-Indianapolis 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 University-IndianapolisIndianapolis	$10,449	$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 University-Indianapolis, approximately 36% 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.