Geography and Cartography (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$39,701

Est. from PA median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,000

Est. from PA median (3 programs)

Analysis

A Geography and Cartography certificate with an estimated $25,000 debt burden creates an immediate challenge: peer programs in Pennsylvania suggest first-year earnings around $39,700, producing a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.63. That's manageable compared to many undergraduate programs, but it demands serious consideration for what amounts to a sub-baccalaureate credential. Similar certificates across Pennsylvania cluster tightly in the high-$30,000 to low-$40,000 range for starting earnings, suggesting this field has fairly predictable early outcomes regardless of institution.

The real question is whether this certificate serves as a stepping stone or a terminal credential. At $25,000 in estimated debt—above the national median for this credential—you're paying bachelor's degree prices for something that might position your student as a GIS technician or mapping specialist, but likely won't open doors to higher-level planning or analysis roles. Geography programs nationwide typically produce first-year earnings around $41,000, so Pennsylvania outcomes track slightly below that average.

Given the estimation uncertainty and the credential's limitations, this makes most sense if your student already has relevant work experience or plans to continue to a bachelor's degree. As a standalone investment, you're looking at debt payments that could consume 15-20% of take-home pay in year one—tight but survivable if the job market cooperates.

Where Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Pennsylvania

Geography and Cartography certificate's programs at peer institutions in Pennsylvania (14 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaSlippery Rock	$10,507	$39,701*	—	$25,000*	—
University of Pittsburgh-JohnstownJohnstown	$14,646	$40,962*	—	$25,000*	0.61
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh	$21,524	$40,962*	—	$25,000*	0.61
Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaShippensburg	$13,544	$38,439*	$50,247	$22,750*	0.59
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia	$22,082	$30,645*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$41,294*	—	$22,197*	0.54

* 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 Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, approximately 28% 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 4 similar programs in PA. Actual outcomes may vary.