Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Radford University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,094

Est. from VA median (3 programs)

Median Debt

$26,500

17% above national median

Analysis

Radford's geography program carries $26,500 in debt—about 30% higher than what other Virginia schools report for this major. That's significant when comparable programs across the state typically leave students with around $20,500. The debt sits at the 15th percentile nationally (meaning it's higher than 85% of geography programs), which should prompt serious questions about why this particular program costs more.

Based on similar Virginia programs, first-year earnings land around $45,000. That produces a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59—manageable in absolute terms, since you'd earn nearly twice what you owe. Geography programs at George Mason and James Madison suggest similar starting salaries in the state, so the earnings estimate seems reasonable. The concern isn't the field's prospects; it's the premium you're paying here. Other Virginia geography programs are producing comparable outcomes with significantly less debt.

The calculation is straightforward: if Radford's program costs $6,000 more in borrowing than typical state peers, you need a compelling reason why—better facilities, stronger industry connections, superior job placement. Without evidence of those advantages, you're paying extra for the same credential and similar career trajectory. Talk directly with the department about what justifies that cost difference.

Where Radford University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Virginia (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt	Debt/Earnings
Radford UniversityRadford	$12,286	$45,094*	—	$26,500	—
George Mason UniversityFairfax	$13,815	$49,568*	$55,864	$22,000	0.44
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg	$13,576	$45,094*	$55,054	$19,800	0.44
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg	$15,478	$39,328*	$51,068	$20,500	0.52
National Median	—	$38,726*	—	$22,657	0.59

* 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 Radford University, approximately 35% 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 median of 3 similar programs in VA. Actual outcomes may vary.