Geography and Cartography (Bachelor's Degree) at Western Illinois University

Est. Earnings (1yr)

$41,449

Est. from IL median (4 programs)

Est. Median Debt

$23,775

Est. from IL median (3 programs)

Analysis

Illinois geography programs show considerable variance in graduate outcomes, and Western Illinois University appears positioned near the middle of the pack based on comparable programs. With estimated first-year earnings around $41,449—derived from peer geography programs across the state—graduates would face a debt load of approximately $23,775, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.57. This suggests students could reasonably expect to dedicate about seven months of gross first-year salary to paying off their loans.

The estimated figures align closely with both state and national medians for geography degrees, which is reassuring for a mid-tier public institution with a 75% admission rate. Programs like Southern Illinois Edwardsville report notably higher earnings ($44,543), while Illinois State shows considerably lower outcomes ($34,952), illustrating how much variation exists even within the same state. Geography careers often require specialized skills in GIS and spatial analysis that can command better pay, but entry-level positions vary widely depending on sector and location.

The practical limitation here is clear: without actual graduate outcome data for Western Illinois specifically, you're making an educated guess based on peer institutions. The program could outperform or underperform these estimates. If your student is serious about geography, reach out to the department directly to ask about recent graduate placements and consider whether internships in urban planning, environmental consulting, or government agencies might improve post-graduation prospects.

Where Western Illinois University Stands

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

Compare to Similar Programs in Illinois

Geography and Cartography bachelors's programs at peer institutions in Illinois (16 total in state)

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School	In-State Tuition	Earnings (1yr)*	Earnings (4yr)	Median Debt*	Debt/Earnings
Western Illinois UniversityMacomb	$14,952	$41,449*	—	$23,775*	—
Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville	$12,922	$44,543*	$51,648	$23,775*	0.53
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign	$16,004	$42,214*	—	$25,000*	0.59
Augustana CollegeRock Island	$49,834	$40,683*	—	$27,000*	0.66
Illinois State UniversityNormal	$16,021	$34,952*	—	$15,500*	0.44
National Median	—	$38,726*	—	$22,657*	0.59

* 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 Western Illinois University, approximately 28% 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 median of 4 similar programs in IL. Actual outcomes may vary.