Geography and Cartography at Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State's Geography and Cartography program produces graduates who substantially outpace their peers, both statewide and nationally. At $55,516 four years out, earnings beat Georgia's median for this program by 66% and land in the 60th percentile among the state's six geography programs. That 39% earnings jump from year one to year four signals graduates are moving into better-paying roles—likely in GIS analysis, urban planning, or government positions where geospatial skills command a premium.

The debt picture strengthens the case: at $32,500, graduates carry more than the national median but considerably less than Georgia's typical geography grad ($27,316 vs. $32,500). More importantly, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.81 means most graduates can realistically manage repayment on first-year salaries around $40,000. Compare this to UGA's program, where graduates start at just $26,801—Kennesaw students earn nearly 50% more right out of the gate.

For families weighing in-state options, this program delivers tangible career momentum without crushing debt. The moderate sample size means individual outcomes will vary, but the combination of strong initial placement and steady earnings growth suggests graduates are finding their footing in a field where technical mapping and data analysis skills increasingly matter.