Geography and Cartography at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Virginia Tech's geography program starts graduates at $39,328—below the state median of $45,094 and landing in just the 40th percentile among Virginia programs. That's concerning for a school with Virginia Tech's academic reputation, especially when George Mason University's geography graduates earn $49,568 in their first year. The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift significantly, but the gap is too wide to ignore.

The positive news is manageable debt at $20,500 and solid earnings growth of 30% by year four, reaching $51,068. That trajectory eventually surpasses the state median and suggests the program develops skills that employers increasingly value. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.52 is reasonable, though not exceptional given the moderate starting point.

Here's the practical reality: if your child is passionate about geography and choosing between Virginia schools, this program underperforms its in-state competitors at launch but catches up with time. The small sample size means you're looking at limited data—perhaps just 20-25 graduates—so individual career choices heavily influence these averages. For a student committed to the field, Virginia Tech's strong alumni network and research opportunities may matter more than the first-year earnings gap. For someone exploring options, consider that geography programs elsewhere in Virginia start stronger out of the gate.