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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$45,094

Est. from VA median (3 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$25,000

Est. from national median (7 programs)

Analysis

The $25,000 estimated debt load at University of Richmond sits above what comparable geography programs typically report—Virginia's median is $20,500, and nationally it's $22,657. That extra borrowing matters at a selective private institution where the program's small size has left actual outcomes unreported. Similar geography programs in Virginia suggest first-year earnings around $45,000, which would make the debt manageable but not insignificant, with graduates needing to dedicate roughly half their first year's salary to principal repayment.

What complicates the picture is Richmond's positioning. The estimated earnings match the state median, putting it on par with programs at James Madison but trailing George Mason's reported $49,568. For a school with a 23% acceptance rate and SAT scores averaging 1474, you're not seeing the premium that usually justifies private school tuition. Geography programs at peer institutions suggest this credential leads to solid but not exceptional starting salaries—above the national median of $38,726, but not dramatically so.

The core question is whether Richmond's smaller program offers advantages in career placement or skill development that the numbers don't capture. If your child is drawn to this specific program for faculty expertise or research opportunities, the debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.55 won't sink them. But if geography is one option among several, programs at Virginia's public universities appear to deliver similar market outcomes with substantially less debt.

Where University of Richmond Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Virginia

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

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of RichmondUniversity of Richmond	$62,600	$45,094*	—	$25,000*	—
George Mason UniversityFairfax	$13,815	$49,568*	$55,864	$22,000*	0.44
James Madison UniversityHarrisonburg	$13,576	$45,094*	$55,054	$19,800*	0.44
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg	$15,478	$39,328*	$51,068	$20,500*	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 Richmond, 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 VA. Actual outcomes may vary.