Location: Harrisonburg, VA•In-State Tuition: $13,576•Out-of-State Tuition: $30,790•Admission Rate: 76%•Avg SAT: 1247
Median Earnings (1yr)
$45,094
88th percentile
60th percentile in Virginia
Median Debt
$19,800
13% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.44 ManageableSample: 55 graduates

Analysis

James Madison's geography and cartography program punches well above its weight nationally, with graduates earning 16% more than the typical graduate in this field. That $45,094 starting salary lands in the 88th percentile nationwide—impressive for a program at a school with a 76% acceptance rate. The $19,800 in median debt is also below the national average for this degree, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.44. Within Virginia, the program sits squarely in the middle of the pack, trailing George Mason but outpacing Virginia Tech.

The 22% earnings growth over four years suggests graduates are building marketable skills that translate to career advancement. By year four, median earnings reach $55,054, which is solid for a field that sometimes struggles with wage growth. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these numbers are reasonably reliable, though individual outcomes will vary.

For parents weighing this option, the value proposition is straightforward: your child gets access to a respected state university at a reasonable price point, with graduates earning significantly more than peers from most other geography programs nationwide. If your student is genuinely interested in spatial analysis, GIS, or cartography—fields with growing applications in everything from urban planning to environmental consulting—this program delivers real career traction without excessive debt.

Where James Madison University Stands

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

James Madison UniversityOther geography and cartography programs

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

Earnings Distribution

How James Madison University graduates compare to all programs nationally

James Madison University earns $45k — 88th percentile among geography and cartography bachelors programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
James Madison University$45,094$55,054+22%
University of Maryland-College Park$40,913$65,748+61%
Texas A&M University-College Station$54,204$64,337+19%
George Mason University$49,568$55,864+13%
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University$39,328$51,068+30%

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

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

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SchoolIn-State TuitionEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg$13,576$45,094$55,054$19,8000.44
George Mason UniversityFairfax$13,815$49,568$55,864$22,0000.44
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg$15,478$39,328$51,068$20,5000.52
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 James Madison University, approximately 17% 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 55 graduates with reported earnings and 60 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.