Geography and Cartography at Texas State University

Texas State's geography program significantly outperforms the national median, with graduates earning $44,909 in their first year—about 16% more than typical geography majors nationwide and enough to land in the 87th percentile nationally. The manageable debt load of $22,657 creates a comfortable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with half their first year's salary. This positions Texas State as a clear value leader in a field that doesn't always translate to strong early earnings.

Within Texas, the picture is more nuanced. While Texas State outperforms most in-state options, it trails Texas A&M's geography graduates by nearly $10,000 annually. However, that gap matters less than it might in other fields—geography programs often lead to diverse career paths in GIS, urban planning, and environmental analysis where earnings can vary widely by specialization. The 8% earnings growth to year four suggests graduates are finding their footing professionally rather than hitting an immediate ceiling.

For families concerned about return on investment, this program delivers solid value. Your child would graduate with below-average debt for a bachelor's degree while earning above-average income for their field, all at a school with an 89% admission rate that serves a substantial population of Pell-eligible students. The combination of accessibility, reasonable cost, and strong placement makes this a sensible choice for students genuinely interested in spatial analysis and mapping careers.