Geography and Cartography at The University of Texas at San Antonio

Starting salaries near $40,000 might seem modest for a bachelor's degree, but this estimate—drawn from five comparable geography programs across Texas—actually lands right at the state median. What makes UTSA's program potentially attractive is the debt load: at $16,750, it's roughly $5,000 below what Texas geography majors typically borrow and $6,000 below the national average. With 42% of students receiving Pell grants, this access-oriented institution appears to be delivering reasonably affordable outcomes in a field where earnings don't vary dramatically between schools.

The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42 suggests manageable repayment—roughly five months of pre-tax income to cover the full debt load. Geography careers often involve government work or urban planning roles where salaries grow steadily rather than starting high, so first-year numbers don't tell the complete story. Still, it's worth noting that peer programs like Texas A&M report significantly higher starting figures ($54,000+), though those students may face different debt levels and enter different career tracks.

For families weighing this option: the lack of school-specific data means some uncertainty, but UTSA's below-average debt combined with typical geography earnings creates a financial picture that's unlikely to cause problems. If your student is genuinely drawn to spatial analysis or GIS work—fields with steady public and private sector demand—this represents a practical entry point without the debt burden that sometimes accompanies four-year degrees.