Geography and Cartography at Rowan University

Rowan's geography graduates start strong and accelerate quickly, with earnings jumping 29% by year four to reach $57,420—far outpacing the typical trajectory for this field. While first-year earnings of $44,380 land at the 60th percentile within New Jersey, they're actually at the 85th percentile nationally, beating three-quarters of geography programs across the country. That's a meaningful distinction for a program at an accessible public university with a 78% acceptance rate.

The $25,250 debt load sits right at the state median and translates to a manageable 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio—your child would owe just over half their first year's salary. Geography programs don't typically lead to six-figure salaries, but this combination of reasonable debt and steady earnings growth suggests graduates are finding stable career paths, likely in GIS analysis, urban planning, or environmental consulting roles where demand has been climbing.

The real story here is the upward earnings momentum. Many bachelor's programs plateau after a few years, but Rowan graduates are seeing substantial raises as they gain experience. For families looking at affordable public options in New Jersey, this program delivers competitive outcomes without the debt burden that would make those early-career salaries feel crushing.