Geography and Cartography at University of Iowa

University of Iowa's geography graduates earn $45,566 in their first year—nearly $7,000 above the national median and in the 91st percentile nationally. This is strong performance for a major that often struggles with post-graduation earnings. The debt load of $23,904 is reasonable, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52, which means graduates would need roughly six months of earnings to cover their educational debt.

The catch here is sample size: fewer than 30 graduates provided this data. That small cohort makes it harder to know if these results are typical or if a few high earners skewed the numbers upward. Still, the program's strong national ranking suggests real value, particularly if Iowa's geography department has specialized training in GIS or environmental analysis that translates to competitive job markets.

For families considering this major, the fundamentals look solid—graduates aren't drowning in debt and they're out-earning most peers nationwide. Just recognize you're betting on a pattern that might shift with a larger sample. If your child has genuine interest in spatial analysis or environmental planning, this program appears to deliver both affordability and earning potential better than most geography degrees in the country.