Geography and Cartography at SUNY College at Potsdam

Based on comparable Geography and Cartography programs in New York, SUNY Potsdam's students likely face first-year earnings around $36,000 with debt near $20,500—creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. This tracks closely with both the state and national medians for the field, suggesting the program delivers typical outcomes for this major. The estimated debt is notably lower than the national median of $22,657, which matters when starting salaries in this field hover in the mid-$30,000s across the board.

Geography programs show considerable variance even within SUNY's system. Peer programs like Binghamton and Oneonta produce graduates earning $38,000-$40,000 in their first year, while Buffalo's grads start around $29,000. Where Potsdam's program falls within that range depends heavily on whether students pursue technical skills in GIS and cartography versus more generalist coursework—a distinction the limited data can't reveal but makes a substantial difference in employer demand.

The practical consideration: with estimated debt of roughly seven months' salary, repayment should be feasible if your child secures employment in their field. The challenge lies in the field itself rather than this specific program—geography graduates often need to be strategic about developing technical competencies that employers value. Given Potsdam's high Pell Grant population, strong financial aid could reduce that debt figure further, but verify actual aid packages before committing.