Geography and Cartography at San Diego State University

San Diego State's Geography program graduates leave with remarkably low debt—just $15,000, which places it in the 89th percentile nationally (meaning only 11% of geography programs have lower debt burdens). That's $7,700 less than the national median and translates to a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.39, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under five months of gross income.

The caveat: first-year earnings of $38,600 land right at the national median but rank in the 60th percentile among California programs. While that beats the state median by about $3,000, several CSU campuses—Sacramento, Chico, and Sonoma State—produce geography grads earning $40,000-$48,000 in their first year. Still, SDSU's combination of near-average earnings with well-below-average debt creates an accessible entry point into the field. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift year to year, but the debt figure is particularly compelling for families worried about loan burdens.

For anxious parents, the math here is straightforward: your child won't emerge drowning in debt, though they're not guaranteed a premium salary either. If they're genuinely interested in geography or GIS work and can supplement their degree with relevant internships or technical skills, the low debt gives them breathing room to find their footing professionally without financial panic.