Geography and Cartography (Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma) at University of Wisconsin-River Falls

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,295

Est. from national median (14 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$21,644

Est. from national median (11 programs)

Analysis

A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52—meaning about half a year's salary goes to debt—sits in reasonable territory for an undergraduate certificate, though peer programs nationally suggest first-year earnings around $41,000 won't deliver financial abundance. Wisconsin's geographic and mapping programs typically produce slightly higher outcomes (around $42,500 at UW-Whitewater), but without reported data specific to River Falls, it's hard to know if this program matches that pattern or falls short.

The relatively modest estimated debt load of $21,600 is manageable compared to many four-year degrees, which matters since certificates are designed as shorter pathways into work. Geography and cartography skills—especially GIS and spatial analysis—have real market demand in urban planning, environmental consulting, and tech sectors. However, the certificate format may limit career advancement compared to a bachelor's degree, and first-year earnings alone don't tell you whether graduates stay in the field or face income ceilings.

For parents evaluating this investment, the critical questions are whether this certificate opens doors your student couldn't access otherwise and whether they plan to build on it with further education. The numbers suggest a workable starting point but not a high-earning fast track. If your student needs credentials quickly to enter the workforce or complement another degree, the debt burden appears reasonable. If they're choosing this over a full bachelor's program in a related field, the limited earning potential based on peer outcomes deserves serious consideration.

Where University of Wisconsin-River Falls Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Wisconsin

Geography and Cartography certificate's programs at peer institutions in Wisconsin (7 total in state)

Scroll to see more →

School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
University of Wisconsin-River FallsRiver Falls	$8,606	$41,295*	—	$21,644*	—
University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterWhitewater	$8,250	$42,580*	—	—*	—
National Median	—	$41,294*	—	$22,197*	0.54

* 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 Wisconsin-River Falls, approximately 20% 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 14 similar programs. Actual outcomes may vary.