Geography and Cartography at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

UW-Eau Claire's geography program earns its middle-of-the-pack rankings through solid fundamentals rather than standout performance. Graduates start at $40,048—about $2,500 above the state median for this field—and reach nearly $46,000 by year four. Among Wisconsin's eleven geography programs, this places Eau Claire slightly above the median, though notably behind UW-Madison's $43,000 starting point. The debt load of $21,212 comes in lower than both state and national averages, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.53.

The challenge here is less about the numbers and more about the field itself. Geography and cartography programs nationally produce modest earnings, and even top performers struggle to break $50,000 in early-career pay. Eau Claire doesn't change that equation, but it does offer a reasonable path within these constraints—lower debt than most alternatives and earnings that track respectably against peers. The 15% earnings growth suggests graduates find their footing after that initial year.

For families comfortable with the moderate earning potential typical of geography careers, this program delivers what it should: solid training at a reasonable price. Just understand you're choosing a field, not just a school, and the field itself caps upside regardless of where you study it.