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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

A bachelor's in Geography and Cartography carries substantial uncertainty at South Alabama. With both earnings and debt figures estimated from national peer programs—not actual outcomes from this school's graduates—families are essentially betting on whether this program mirrors typical results elsewhere. The $38,726 first-year earnings estimate sits below what similar programs at Alabama and North Alabama actually report ($40,546 and $41,076 respectively), which may reflect genuine differences in curriculum strength, career services, or employer connections in Mobile versus Tuscaloosa.

The estimated $22,359 debt load translates to a manageable 0.58 debt-to-earnings ratio, assuming South Alabama's outcomes align with national norms. However, Alabama's geography programs typically carry higher debt ($26,125 median statewide), so if this program's actual debt skews toward state patterns rather than national ones, the picture worsens. Geography careers span everything from GIS analysis to urban planning, and starting salaries vary considerably based on specialization and local job markets.

Parents should recognize they're working with proxies, not proven track records. The estimate suggests reasonable outcomes if this program performs like its peers nationally, but South Alabama's actual results remain unknown due to small graduate cohorts. Before committing, identify what specific geography career path your child wants and verify that Mobile's job market—and this program's industry connections—can support it.

Where University of South Alabama Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Alabama

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

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of South AlabamaMobile	$9,676	$38,726*	—	$22,359*	—
University of North AlabamaFlorence	$11,990	$41,076*	$49,574	$28,500*	0.69
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa	$11,900	$40,546*	$55,745	$23,750*	0.59
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 South Alabama, approximately 37% 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.