Geography and Cartography at University of Wisconsin-Parkside

An estimated $21,644 in debt for an undergraduate certificate represents a substantial burden when peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,295. This debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 means graduates would owe about half their first-year salary—manageable compared to many credentials, but worth scrutinizing for a certificate rather than a bachelor's degree. The limited data from similar geography and cartography certificate programs suggests earnings cluster tightly in the low-$40,000s, whether in Wisconsin or nationally, offering little upside potential.

What makes this credential particularly difficult to evaluate is the fundamental uncertainty. Because graduate numbers are too small to report, we're relying on patterns from peer programs that may or may not reflect what UW-Parkside students actually experience. The one concrete Wisconsin benchmark—UW-Whitewater's $42,580—sits only slightly above the national median, suggesting geography certificates across the state produce similar modest returns regardless of institution.

For parents, the question becomes whether a certificate-level credential justifies taking on over $20,000 in debt for work that starts around $41,000 annually. If your student is using this as a stepping stone toward further education or specific technical skills in GIS, it might make sense. But if this represents their terminal credential, comparable earnings are often accessible through associate degrees or direct entry positions with less debt.