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

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$38,726

Est. from national median (95 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$22,359

Est. from national median (86 programs)

Analysis

A first-year salary around $38,700 for a geography degree positions this program right at the national median, though it notably exceeds what similar programs in Georgia typically deliver by about $5,300. That regional advantage matters when you're entering a field where entry-level opportunities can vary significantly by location and whether graduates land GIS analyst roles versus more general positions.

The estimated $22,400 in debt produces a manageable 0.58 ratio—meaning roughly seven months of gross earnings to cover the educational investment. Comparable programs nationally carry similar debt loads, and with 42% of West Georgia students receiving Pell grants, many families here are financing this degree carefully. Geography programs attract students interested in spatial analysis, environmental planning, and data visualization, but the field requires being strategic about skill development, particularly in technical GIS software that employers actively seek.

The practical challenge is that Georgia's geography job market concentrates in Atlanta, where state agencies, utilities, and consulting firms employ most graduates. West Georgia's location an hour west of Atlanta means students should prioritize internships that build connections in metropolitan areas where these positions cluster. Without actual outcome data from this specific program, look closely at whether the curriculum emphasizes hands-on GIS training and whether the department maintains relationships with regional employers—factors that directly influence whether graduates approach that $40,000 earning potential or fall closer to the state's lower averages.

Where University of West Georgia Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Georgia

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Georgia (6 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of West GeorgiaCarrollton	$5,971	$38,726*	—	$22,359*	—
Kennesaw State UniversityKennesaw	$5,786	$40,020*	$55,516	$32,500*	0.81
University of GeorgiaAthens	$11,180	$26,801*	$47,688	$22,133*	0.83
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 West Georgia, approximately 42% 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.