Geography and Cartography at Keene State College

Geography programs in New Hampshire show considerable variation, with Dartmouth graduates earning $56,756 in their first year—nearly 50% more than what national peer programs suggest for Keene State. Based on comparable geography programs nationwide, first-year earnings around $38,700 would place this program at the median, with projected debt of roughly $22,400 yielding a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio. By year four, the $48,073 median suggests steady but modest growth in this field.

The practical challenge here is whether entering New Hampshire's job market with earnings closer to the national baseline makes sense when the state's geography sector appears to reward graduates from more selective institutions substantially more. Similar programs across the country typically support their debt loads comfortably, but that advantage narrows considerably if you're competing locally against candidates who command 50% higher starting salaries.

For families weighing this choice, the key question is geographic flexibility after graduation. If your student plans to work beyond New Hampshire or values Keene State's accessible campus and lower debt load, the national earnings pattern offers a reasonable foundation. If staying in-state is the priority, understand that the estimated figures suggest this program may not position graduates competitively against NH's higher-earning geography programs.