Geography and Cartography at University of Mary Washington

A Bachelor's degree in Geography and Cartography from the University of Mary Washington comes with estimated first-year earnings around $45,000—derived from the three Virginia programs that report data publicly—and $19,500 in typical debt. That 0.43 debt-to-earnings ratio is manageable by any standard, meaning graduates could reasonably pay off loans within a few years of entry-level employment. While we're working with estimates here (small graduate cohorts mean the DOE doesn't publish this program's specific outcomes), the debt figure is solidly below both state and national medians for geography programs, giving this some cushion even if actual earnings fall short.

The four-year earnings figure of $47,222 is actual reported data, and it shows modest but real wage growth from the estimated starting point. That trajectory matters because geography-related careers often build value through specialized skills—GIS expertise, spatial analysis, or environmental consulting—that may not command top dollar immediately but improve with experience. Compared to peer programs at George Mason ($49,568) and James Madison ($45,094), Mary Washington appears competitive, particularly given its lower debt burden.

For parents evaluating this investment, the core question is whether their student has a clear path into geography-adjacent fields where spatial thinking commands value: urban planning, environmental work, government mapping agencies, or the private tech sector. The debt is low enough that even a slower career start wouldn't create financial crisis, but without that clear direction, you're paying for specialized training in a field where job markets vary considerably by region and sector specialization.