Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Minnesota-Duluth

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,019

Est. from MN median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

The $38,000 first-year salary suggested by comparable Geography programs in Minnesota aligns precisely with the state median, placing this field squarely in the modest-but-steady earnings territory. With estimated debt around $22,000, the financial profile mirrors what most Geography majors nationally face—manageable payments, but no quick path to financial cushion. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.59 means graduates could theoretically pay off loans within a year if they dedicated most earnings to it, though real life rarely works that way.

What's particularly notable here is the compression across Minnesota programs. The highest-earning Geography program in the state (Mankato at $40,500) provides only about $2,500 more than what similar programs here suggest, while even Macalester's graduates start lower at $30,000. This narrow range indicates Geography outcomes depend more on the job market itself than the specific school's reputation—a pattern that should inform how much families invest in the degree.

The core question is whether this career path justifies four years of college. Geography and cartography skills are increasingly valuable in GIS and environmental sectors, but entry-level positions rarely command high salaries. If your child is genuinely passionate about spatial analysis and willing to build technical skills (particularly in GIS software), the debt burden here won't be crushing. If they're uncertain about the field or exploring options, the limited upside and peer program data suggest proceeding cautiously until they've confirmed this career direction through internships or coursework.

Where University of Minnesota-Duluth Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all geography and cartography bachelors's programs nationally

Compare to Similar Programs in Minnesota

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Minnesota (8 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of Minnesota-DuluthDuluth	$14,318	$38,019*	—	$22,359*	—
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato	$9,490	$40,553*	$47,976	—*	—
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis	$16,488	$38,019*	$51,259	$20,500*	0.54
Macalester CollegeSaint Paul	$64,908	$30,053*	$41,857	$19,049*	0.63
National Median	—	$38,726*	—	$22,657*	0.59

* Estimated from similar programs

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with geography and cartography graduates

Geographers

Study the nature and use of areas of the Earth's surface, relating and interpreting interactions of physical and cultural phenomena. Conduct research on physical aspects of a region, including land forms, climates, soils, plants, and animals, and conduct research on the spatial implications of human activities within a given area, including social characteristics, economic activities, and political organization, as well as researching interdependence between regions at scales ranging from local to global.

$97,200/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Geography Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in geography. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

$83,980/yrJobs growth:

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists

Research, study, and prepare maps and other spatial data in digital or graphic form for one or more purposes, such as legal, social, political, educational, and design purposes. May work with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). May design and evaluate algorithms, data structures, and user interfaces for GIS and mapping systems. May collect, analyze, and interpret geographic information provided by geodetic surveys, aerial photographs, and satellite data.

$78,380/yrJobs growth:Bachelor's degree

Surveying and Mapping Technicians

Perform surveying and mapping duties, usually under the direction of an engineer, surveyor, cartographer, or photogrammetrist, to obtain data used for construction, mapmaking, boundary location, mining, or other purposes. May calculate mapmaking information and create maps from source data, such as surveying notes, aerial photography, satellite data, or other maps to show topographical features, political boundaries, and other features. May verify accuracy and completeness of maps.

$51,940/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Managers, All Other

All managers not listed separately.

Regulatory Affairs Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate production activities of an organization to ensure compliance with regulations and standard operating procedures.

Compliance Managers

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities of an organization to ensure compliance with ethical or regulatory standards.

Wind Energy Operations Managers

Manage wind field operations, including personnel, maintenance activities, financial activities, and planning.

Wind Energy Development Managers

Lead or manage the development and evaluation of potential wind energy business opportunities, including environmental studies, permitting, and proposals. May also manage construction of projects.

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers

Plan and direct cleanup and redevelopment of contaminated properties for reuse. Does not include properties sufficiently contaminated to qualify as Superfund sites.

About This Data

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)

Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At University of Minnesota-Duluth, approximately 18% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.

Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.

Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.

Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 3 similar programs in MN. Actual outcomes may vary.