Geography and Cartography at Ohio University-Zanesville Campus

Ohio University-Zanesville's geography program starts slowly but shows promise, with graduates earning $33,199 initially—about $5,500 below the national median—before climbing to $42,424 within four years. That 28% earnings growth suggests the degree takes time to gain traction in the job market. Within Ohio, the program sits right at the state median for geography programs, so this is fairly typical for the field in-state, though graduates at Ohio State's main campus earn about $11,000 more from day one.

The $26,000 in student debt feels manageable, representing about nine months of first-year salary. This debt load is actually lower than you'd expect given the starting earnings—ranking in the 25th percentile nationally means 75% of comparable programs saddle students with more debt. The fourth-year earnings of $42,424 puts graduates on solid financial footing, and the trajectory suggests continued growth beyond that point.

For families keeping costs down through a regional campus, this program delivers reasonable value. The slow start is the main concern—that first year or two after graduation may require some financial patience—but the earnings trajectory and moderate debt make this a viable path for students genuinely interested in geography or GIS work. Just know your child shouldn't expect the immediate earning power that Ohio State grads in this field command.