Geography and Cartography at University of Washington-Seattle Campus

UW-Seattle's Geography and Cartography program stands out sharply against both national and state competition. With first-year earnings of $42,489, graduates from this program outperform 80% of geography programs in Washington—a significant gap when you consider that the state median sits at just $29,931. Even Western Washington University, the closest competitor, can't match these outcomes. Nationally, this program lands in the 75th percentile, beating the national median by nearly $4,000.

The debt picture reinforces this advantage. At $17,504, graduates carry notably less debt than typical geography majors nationwide (who average $22,657), though it's worth noting that within Washington, this is slightly above the state median. Still, with a debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.41, graduates need less than half a year's salary to cover their loans. The 36% earnings growth from year one to year four suggests graduates are building marketable skills that translate into career advancement—first-year earnings of $42,489 climb to $57,825 by year four.

For families considering in-state geography programs in Washington, UW-Seattle is the clear choice. The combination of higher starting salaries, strong earning trajectory, and manageable debt makes this program a solid investment, particularly compared to other state options that leave graduates earning $10,000-$20,000 less annually.