Geography and Cartography (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Kansas State University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,295

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,644

Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 looks manageable on paper, but here's what matters for a geography certificate: peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,000, which aligns closely with this estimate, while the debt load of roughly $22,000 falls within the typical range for undergraduate certificates. The challenge is understanding what career trajectory this credential actually supports. Geography certificates often serve as skill-building additions to a primary degree—think GIS expertise for urban planning or environmental science roles—rather than standalone career launchers. Without knowing how Kansas State's specific program places students, you're essentially betting that the certificate will enhance your child's marketability in ways that justify both the cost and the time investment.

Only two schools in Kansas offer this credential, which means limited in-state comparison points and potentially fewer local employer relationships than you'd find with more common programs. The uncertainty cuts both ways: this could be a focused program meeting specific regional needs, or it could struggle to demonstrate clear value in a state with minimal geography program infrastructure. Before committing, pin down exactly what graduates from Kansas State's program do with this certificate—whether it's added to a bachelor's degree, which specific employers recruit from the program, and how it differentiates from free GIS training available through professional development channels.

Where Kansas State University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Geography and Cartography certificate's programs at top institutions nationally

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Kansas State UniversityManhattan	$10,942	$41,295*	—	$21,644*	—
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato	$9,490	$50,411*	—	—*	—
DePaul UniversityChicago	$44,460	$47,464*	—	$23,412*	0.49
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos	$11,450	$44,270*	—	$25,385*	0.57
Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton	$4,879	$42,833*	—	$19,692*	0.46
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater	$8,250	$42,580*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$41,294*	—	$22,197*	0.54

* 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 Kansas State University, approximately 19% 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 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.