Geography and Cartography (Post-baccalaureate Certificate) at North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Median Earnings (1yr)

$55,320

5th percentile

Median Debt

$20,868

At national median

Analysis

A post-baccalaureate certificate costing $20,868 should deliver clear career acceleration, but NC State's Geography and Cartography program shows puzzling underperformance. First-year earnings of $55,320 fall below the national median for this credential, and at the 5th percentile nationally, this ranks near the bottom. The one reassuring data point: NC State reaches the 40th percentile among North Carolina programs, suggesting Duke's outsized earnings may be skewing state comparisons. Still, graduates here earn $8,000 less annually than Duke certificate holders—a meaningful gap when the debt load is identical.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.38 isn't alarming on its face, but context matters. These students already hold bachelor's degrees and are taking on additional debt for career advancement. When the earnings boost appears this modest, the return on investment becomes questionable. You'd expect a specialized credential from a strong public university to position graduates more competitively.

The critical caveat: this cohort includes fewer than 30 graduates, meaning one or two unusual outcomes could distort the entire picture. Before dismissing this program, investigate whether the low earnings reflect part-time work, career changers still in transition, or other temporary factors. If your student is considering this certificate, they should speak directly with program administrators about typical career outcomes and whether graduates are actually working in geography or cartography roles that justify the investment.

Where North Carolina State University at Raleigh Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all geography and cartography postbacc-cert's programs nationally

Earnings Distribution

How North Carolina State University at Raleigh graduates compare to all programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Geography and Cartography postbacc-cert's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (2 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh	$8,895	$55,320	—	$20,868	0.38
Duke UniversityDurham	$65,805	$63,356	—	—	—
National Median	—	$59,338	—	$20,868	0.35

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 North Carolina State University at Raleigh, 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.