Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at University of North Carolina Wilmington

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,929

Est. from NC median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,851

Est. from NC median (3 programs)

Analysis

A debt load around $22,850 against first-year earnings near $42,000 creates a manageable situation—similar geography programs across North Carolina suggest graduates enter a fairly stable earning band. The state's four reported programs cluster tightly between $26,000 and $42,500, and peer institutions indicate UNCW likely sits somewhere in this middle tier. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.54, repayment shouldn't dominate a graduate's budget the way it does in many other fields.

What's particularly telling is how North Carolina's geography graduates generally outpace the national median of $38,726. Whether that reflects the state's mix of coastal planning, logistics hubs, or GIS demand isn't clear from these estimates, but the consistency across peer programs suggests real regional opportunity. UNCW's coastal location could position graduates well for environmental planning or marine spatial analysis roles, though these estimates don't capture any such specialization advantage.

The caveat matters here: these figures reflect what comparable NC programs produce, not UNCW's specific track record with geography majors. If your child is drawn to this field, the estimated numbers suggest reasonable financial footing—but confirm the program's actual placement outcomes and whether its curriculum aligns with employer needs in coastal management, urban planning, or geospatial technology before committing.

Where University of North Carolina Wilmington Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in North Carolina

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in North Carolina (7 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of North Carolina WilmingtonWilmington	$7,317	$41,929*	—	$22,851*	—
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill	$8,989	$42,454*	—	—*	—
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte	$7,214	$42,210*	$60,251	$23,954*	0.57
Appalachian State UniversityBoone	$7,541	$41,648*	$50,526	$17,750*	0.43
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro	$7,593	$25,975*	$43,478	$22,851*	0.88
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 North Carolina Wilmington, approximately 24% 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 4 similar programs in NC. Actual outcomes may vary.