Geography and Cartography (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Lone Star College System

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,295

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,644

Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

Similar geography and cartography certificate programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,295, which falls short of what Texas programs typically produce. The single comparable school with reported data—Texas State University—shows graduates earning $44,270, nearly $3,000 more than what peer programs would predict for Lone Star. That gap matters when you're carrying an estimated $21,644 in debt for a certificate program.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means students would need roughly half their first-year gross income to clear this debt—a substantial burden for what's meant to be a shorter credential rather than a four-year degree. While community colleges typically keep costs lower than universities, these estimated debt levels align closely with national certificate medians, suggesting Lone Star hasn't necessarily delivered the cost advantage you'd expect from the Lone Star system.

Given the significant uncertainty in these estimates and the gap between predicted earnings and what the one Texas school with actual data reports, parents should compare this against other pathways into geography and GIS work. Technical certificates in related fields might offer similar entry points with clearer outcome data and potentially lower debt loads—or investing in a full degree program at a school with documented stronger earnings might ultimately prove more cost-effective than a certificate that leaves you guessing.

Where Lone Star College System Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Texas

Geography and Cartography certificate's programs at peer institutions in Texas (10 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Lone Star College SystemThe Woodlands	$3,090	$41,295*	—	$21,644*	—
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos	$11,450	$44,270*	—	$25,385*	0.57
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 Lone Star College System, approximately 23% 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.