Geography and Cartography at University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Geography graduates from UNM earn significantly less than the national median for their field—$32,096 versus $38,726—placing this program in just the 21st percentile nationally. However, the story changes when you consider New Mexico's context: this program ranks in the 60th percentile statewide, and with only two schools offering geography degrees in the state, UNM represents one of the limited options for students who want to study this field close to home. The debt load of $14,705 is notably low, about 35% below the national median, yielding a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.46.

The practical concern is that $32,000 doesn't go far even in New Mexico's lower-cost-of-living markets, and geography careers often require graduate education for advancement into higher-paying positions like urban planning or GIS analysis. With a 95% admission rate and SAT scores below 1100, UNM serves many first-generation and Pell-eligible students for whom manageable debt matters enormously. The low debt here is genuinely valuable.

Fair assessment: if your child is committed to geography and wants to stay in New Mexico, this program won't bury them in debt, though they should plan for either moving out of state for better job markets or pursuing graduate education. The small sample size means these numbers could shift considerably year to year. For students who might pivot to related fields or aren't certain about geography, the modest first-year earnings suggest exploring programs with stronger initial outcomes.