Geography and Cartography at University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus

UC Denver's geography and cartography program produces graduates who start modestly at $39,100 but see strong momentum, reaching $50,800 by year four—a 30% jump that outpaces typical early-career growth. Among Colorado's nine geography programs, this lands in the 60th percentile, trailing only Metro State Denver while beating both CU Boulder and CU Colorado Springs despite their stronger overall reputations. That's a meaningful distinction when you're paying in-state tuition.

The debt picture is manageable: $22,500 translates to a 0.57 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. That's below the threshold where debt becomes burdensome, and the earnings trajectory suggests this ratio improves quickly. The earnings growth pattern—accelerating past the mid-$40,000s by year four—hints that graduates are moving into more specialized GIS analyst or cartography roles rather than staying in entry-level positions.

For a student drawn to spatial analysis and mapping, this program offers a practical path to solid middle-income work. The starting salary won't impress, but the upward climb is real, and you're not gambling with crushing debt. The 78% admission rate makes this accessible for students who might not get into more selective schools, while still delivering results that beat most Colorado alternatives in this field.