Geography and Cartography at University of Utah

The University of Utah's geography program stands out for one compelling reason: graduates leave with remarkably little debt. At $12,373, that's about half the national median for this degree and right in line with other Utah programs—yet earnings at $41,052 actually edge above both state and national averages. With a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.30, graduates could theoretically pay off their loans in under four months of gross earnings.

The downside? You're looking at a small cohort here—fewer than 30 graduates in this dataset—so these numbers could shift significantly year to year. Still, earning slightly more than BYU geography grads while keeping debt this low suggests the program delivers consistent value. First-year earnings in the low $40s won't wow anyone, but geography isn't typically a high-earning field right out of the gate, and this program performs in the 65th percentile nationally.

For Utah families keeping tuition costs reasonable, this represents a solid pathway into GIS, urban planning, or environmental work without the debt burden that often comes with bachelor's degrees. Just recognize that career growth will likely depend on what specialization and additional credentials your student pursues after graduation.