Geography and Cartography at University of Florida

University of Florida's geography program stands out nationally—ranking in the 82nd percentile for earnings—but less so within Florida, where it sits near the middle of the pack at the 60th percentile. Still, graduates start at $43,856 and reach $54,432 by year four, a healthy 24% jump that suggests the degree opens doors to progressively better opportunities. The $18,600 median debt is below both national and state averages, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.42.

The caveat here matters: fewer than 30 graduates reported data, so these numbers could shift with a larger sample. That said, what we see looks promising—graduates earn more than their peers at Florida State and USF while borrowing comparable amounts. The earnings trajectory is particularly encouraging; many geography programs see graduates plateau early, but UF's shows steady growth through year four.

For parents, this represents a solid investment at a selective public university, especially if your student can maintain in-state tuition. The debt load won't be crushing, starting salaries exceed what most geography grads earn nationally, and the four-year outlook suggests career momentum rather than stagnation. Just recognize you're looking at a small data set, so individual outcomes may vary more than usual.