Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Rhode Island College

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

Rhode Island College's Geography and Cartography bachelor's degree shows a debt burden that comparable programs across the nation typically generate—roughly $22,400—against first-year earnings near $38,700. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio based on peer programs suggests manageable repayment: graduates would owe about 58 cents for every dollar they earn initially, which falls within conventional affordability guidelines. The earnings estimate comes from the national median for this field, reflecting what geography graduates typically make rather than outcomes specific to RIC's program or Rhode Island's job market.

The practical question is whether these national patterns translate locally. Rhode Island is the only school in the state offering this major at the bachelor's level, which could mean either specialized opportunities or limited regional demand. Geography careers span environmental consulting, GIS analysis, urban planning, and government work—fields where location matters significantly. With 41% of RIC students receiving Pell grants, many families would be stretching to cover even this moderate debt load on $38,700 starting salaries.

Given the small graduate cohort that led to data suppression, talk directly with the department about where recent graduates actually landed and what they're earning. The estimated figures provide a national baseline, but your decision should rest on evidence that RIC's specific program connects students to real opportunities in New England's geographic and planning sectors.

Where Rhode Island College Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs Nationally

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at top institutions nationally

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Rhode Island CollegeProvidence	$10,986	$38,726*	—	$22,359*	—
Park UniversityParkville	$16,400	$58,786*	—	—*	—
Dartmouth CollegeHanover	$65,739	$56,756*	—	—*	—
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station	$13,099	$54,204*	$64,337	$16,479*	0.30
University of Nevada-RenoReno	$8,994	$53,079*	—	—*	—
George Washington UniversityWashington	$64,990	$52,883*	—	$25,000*	0.47
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 Rhode Island College, approximately 41% 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 95 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.