Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at University of Northern Iowa

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

A $22,400 debt load might sound manageable for a bachelor's degree, but when paired with first-year earnings around $38,700—figures drawn from national peer programs since this specific program's graduate numbers are too small to report—the financial picture requires scrutiny. That 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio sits in reasonable territory, though Geography and Cartography graduates from the University of Iowa, the only comparable program in Iowa with reported data, start at $45,566. That $7,000 gap between what Iowa's other program produces and what similar programs nationally suggest is significant when you're weighing where to invest four years and $22,000 in loans.

The challenge with Geography and Cartography as a field is that it often requires geographic information systems (GIS) skills, specialized software knowledge, or specific industry connections to command higher salaries. Without reported outcomes for UNI's specific program, you can't verify whether their curriculum, internship networks, or employer relationships translate into the higher earnings Iowa's market appears to support. The state clearly has demand for these skills—Iowa programs generally outperform the national median—but whether UNI delivers that advantage remains uncertain.

Given these estimates, treat this as a program requiring additional verification. Connect with recent UNI Geography graduates directly through LinkedIn, ask the department for detailed placement data, and confirm whether their curriculum emphasizes the technical skills (particularly GIS) that drive better outcomes in this field. Without that confirmation, you're betting on peer program performance rather than documented results.

Where University of Northern Iowa Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Iowa

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Iowa (2 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls	$9,728	$38,726*	—	$22,359*	—
University of IowaIowa City	$10,964	$45,566*	—	$23,904*	0.52
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 Northern Iowa, 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 national median of 95 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.