Geography and Cartography at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

UW-Milwaukee's Geography and Cartography program starts graduates at just $32,000—roughly $6,500 below the state median and trailing significantly behind UW-Madison ($43,000) and UW-Eau Claire ($40,000). While debt levels are notably lower than average, that 0.84 debt-to-earnings ratio still means graduates are carrying nearly a full year's salary in loans while earning less than peers at other Wisconsin public universities. The 40th percentile ranking among state programs suggests this is a below-average outcome for in-state students who could potentially access stronger alternatives in the UW system.

The 22% earnings growth to $39,000 by year four helps narrow the gap somewhat, but graduates remain behind the state median throughout their early careers. For an 88% admission rate school, families might reasonably expect more accessible outcomes, yet this program underperforms both state and national benchmarks. The moderate sample size gives reasonable confidence in these numbers.

If your child is set on geography at a UW campus, the earnings data suggests looking at Madison, Eau Claire, or La Crosse first. UW-Milwaukee's program might work for students with significant geographic or financial constraints keeping them in Milwaukee, but the $10,000+ earnings difference compared to top state programs adds up to roughly $40,000 in lost income over four years—potentially offsetting any tuition savings from staying local.