Geography and Cartography at University of Maine at Farmington

In Maine, where only three schools offer geography programs, this field represents a specialized path with limited in-state benchmarks. Based on national data from similar geography and cartography bachelor's programs, first-year earnings typically land around $38,700—a modest starting point that makes the estimated $22,400 in debt manageable at a 0.58 ratio. That debt burden sits just below the national median for this field, suggesting University of Maine at Farmington keeps costs reasonably contained for a rural public institution.

The practical question is whether these national earnings patterns hold true in Maine's economy, where geography-related careers may cluster differently than in urban areas with more GIS, urban planning, or environmental consulting firms. The field's value often depends heavily on location and whether graduates pursue technical GIS skills versus traditional geography education. With UMF's 98% admission rate and modest SAT profile, the program likely serves students seeking accessible paths into environmental work, teaching, or local government—careers where geographic knowledge matters but specialized technical credentials may prove equally important.

For families considering this investment, the debt load appears reasonable, but the small program size that triggers data suppression suggests limited enrollment. Connect with recent graduates directly to understand actual job outcomes in Maine's market, and verify whether the program emphasizes technical GIS training or broader environmental studies—that distinction significantly affects career prospects in this field.