Geography and Cartography at Oregon State University-Cascades Campus

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.58 suggests manageable financial risk for this geography program, assuming the national estimates hold true locally. With estimated first-year earnings around $38,700 and projected debt of $22,400, graduates would face monthly loan payments of roughly $250 on a standard plan—roughly 8% of pre-tax income. That's in the range where most financial advisors would say "reasonable but not risk-free."

The challenge is that OSU-Cascades operates in a smaller market with limited comparable data. Other Oregon geography programs show a wide spread—University of Oregon graduates report earning $45,000 while Portland State sits at $35,300—which means location and specialization within the field matter significantly. Bend's economy leans heavily toward tourism and outdoor recreation rather than GIS-heavy industries like urban planning or environmental consulting that typically employ geography graduates at higher salaries. Whether this program connects students to Portland or larger West Coast job markets could make a substantial difference in actual outcomes.

For parents, the core question is whether your student has a clear path to geography-related work, particularly roles involving spatial analysis or cartography skills that command better pay than general research positions. The estimated figures suggest moderate financial risk, but the suppressed data means we're flying somewhat blind on how this specific campus performs. If your student is committed to the field and has internship or networking opportunities lined up, the debt load shouldn't be crushing—but this isn't a program where the earnings cushion offers much room for career uncertainty.