Geography and Cartography: is this bachelor's degree worth it?
National picture across 130 reporting college programs.
MODELED SCENARIO · Negative payoff
−$119,521 over 10 years
National scenario across reporting bachelor's degree programs, using median year-4 earnings, their institutions’ average net prices and a typical 4-year duration.
At these assumptions, the estimated earnings premium does not recover the modeled economic investment within ten years.
19.4 yrsModeled economic break-even
−48%Modeled 10-year ROI
$57,751Observed earnings · year 4
Observed national outcomes
$57,751Median reported earnings · year 4
$57,179Average reported earnings · year 5
$22,716Median federal debt
41thYear-4 earnings percentile at this credential
130Reporting programs
118With year-4 earnings
The same field can produce a different equation.
Keep the federal field fixed and compare observed outcomes at every reportable credential level. These are separate graduate cohorts—not a promise that more schooling causes the difference.
OPEN PROFILE
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
- Year-4 earnings
- $59,554
- Federal debt
- $22,197
- Reporting programs
- 17
Bachelor's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $57,751
- Federal debt
- $22,716
- Reporting programs
- 130
Post-baccalaureate Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $77,018
- Federal debt
- $20,830
- Reporting programs
- 4
Master's Degree
- Year-4 earnings
- $87,165
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 17
Graduate/Professional Certificate
- Year-4 earnings
- $86,247
- Federal debt
- Not available
- Reporting programs
- 3
Where the middle half of programs lands
Year‑4 earnings differ by college. This band shows the 25th percentile, national median and 75th percentile among reporting programs.
Median
25th percentile$54,310National median$57,75175th percentile$65,228
118 programs report year‑4 earnings.See the spread, not just the national number.
1George Washington University$78,3902University of Connecticut$76,8513University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus$76,8514University of Connecticut-Avery Point$76,8515University of Connecticut-Stamford$76,8516University of Connecticut-Hartford Campus$76,8517Southern Illinois University Edwardsville$75,8778California State University, Sacramento$75,2349University of Nevada-Reno$74,86410George Mason University$74,692Observed year-4 earnings · top displayed records are not a universal ranking
Related occupations
Official CIP–SOC links add career context without claiming that every graduate enters the same job.
GeographersSOC 19-3092 · 3 crosswalk linksGeography Teachers, PostsecondarySOC 25-1064 · 3 crosswalk linksManagers, All OtherSOC 11-9199 · 3 crosswalk linksSurveying and Mapping TechniciansSOC 17-3031 · 2 crosswalk linksCartographers and PhotogrammetristsSOC 17-1021 · 1 crosswalk links
Same degree, different outcomes
Compare reported outcomes using the same federal field and credential. ROI uses each institution’s average net price as a scenario—not an individual aid offer.
| # | College | Location | Earnings, year 4 | Federal debt | 10-year ROI | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | George Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Washington, DC | $78,390 | $25,000 | +2% | Positive payoff |
| 2 | University of ConnecticutBachelor's Degree | Storrs, CT | $76,851 | Not available | +14% | Positive payoff |
| 3 | University of Connecticut-Waterbury CampusBachelor's Degree | Waterbury, CT | $76,851 | Not available | +43% | Positive payoff |
| 4 | University of Connecticut-Avery PointBachelor's Degree | Groton, CT | $76,851 | Not available | +35% | Positive payoff |
| 5 | University of Connecticut-StamfordBachelor's Degree | Stamford, CT | $76,851 | Not available | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 6 | University of Connecticut-Hartford CampusBachelor's Degree | Hartford, CT | $76,851 | Not available | +30% | Positive payoff |
| 7 | Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleBachelor's Degree | Edwardsville, IL | $75,877 | $23,775 | +29% | Positive payoff |
| 8 | California State University, SacramentoBachelor's Degree | Sacramento, CA | $75,234 | $15,881 | +39% | Positive payoff |
| 9 | University of Nevada-RenoBachelor's Degree | Reno, NV | $74,864 | Not available | +23% | Positive payoff |
| 10 | George Mason UniversityBachelor's Degree | Fairfax, VA | $74,692 | $22,000 | +18% | Positive payoff |
| 11 | Dartmouth CollegeBachelor's Degree | Hanover, NH | $72,985 | Not available | -6% | Negative payoff |
| 12 | Syracuse UniversityBachelor's Degree | Syracuse, NY | $71,543 | $27,000 | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 13 | Binghamton UniversityBachelor's Degree | Vestal, NY | $71,207 | $20,596 | -2% | Negative payoff |
| 14 | California State University, ChicoBachelor's Degree | Chico, CA | $69,500 | $19,250 | +3% | Positive payoff |
| 15 | Illinois State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Normal, IL | $69,383 | $15,500 | -5% | Negative payoff |
| 16 | California State University, NorthridgeBachelor's Degree | Northridge, CA | $69,323 | $8,250 | +17% | Positive payoff |
| 17 | Pennsylvania State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | University Park, PA | $68,993 | $26,000 | -23% | Negative payoff |
| 18 | University at BuffaloBachelor's Degree | Buffalo, NY | $68,176 | $24,255 | -12% | Negative payoff |
| 19 | University of California, Santa BarbaraBachelor's Degree | Santa Barbara, CA | $67,521 | $13,750 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 20 | University of New Mexico-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Albuquerque, NM | $67,336 | $14,705 | -8% | Negative payoff |
| 21 | University of FloridaBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $67,276 | $18,600 | +8% | Positive payoff |
| 22 | University of Florida-OnlineBachelor's Degree | Gainesville, FL | $67,276 | $18,600 | +12% | Positive payoff |
| 23 | University of California, Los AngelesBachelor's Degree | Los Angeles, CA | $67,193 | $13,969 | -4% | Negative payoff |
| 24 | California State University, FresnoBachelor's Degree | Fresno, CA | $66,863 | Not available | +5% | Positive payoff |
| 25 | Metropolitan State University of DenverBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $66,429 | $35,136 | -11% | Negative payoff |
| 26 | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBachelor's Degree | Baton Rouge, LA | $66,168 | Not available | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 27 | Park UniversityBachelor's Degree | Parkville, MO | $65,890 | Not available | -21% | Negative payoff |
| 28 | Arizona State University Campus ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Tempe, AZ | $65,759 | $28,500 | -13% | Negative payoff |
| 29 | Arizona State University Digital ImmersionBachelor's Degree | Scottsdale, AZ | $65,759 | $28,500 | WithheldPrice-proxy sensitive | Not available |
| 30 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Blacksburg, VA | $65,259 | $20,500 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 31 | Texas A&M University-College StationBachelor's Degree | College Station, TX | $65,228 | $16,479 | -24% | Negative payoff |
| 32 | University of Washington-Seattle CampusBachelor's Degree | Seattle, WA | $64,950 | $17,504 | -16% | Negative payoff |
| 33 | Brigham Young UniversityBachelor's Degree | Provo, UT | $64,875 | $10,360 | -18% | Negative payoff |
| 34 | University of Maryland-College ParkBachelor's Degree | College Park, MD | $63,835 | $24,441 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 35 | James Madison UniversityBachelor's Degree | Harrisonburg, VA | $63,768 | $19,800 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 36 | San Francisco State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Francisco, CA | $63,590 | $13,768 | -19% | Negative payoff |
| 37 | Radford UniversityBachelor's Degree | Radford, VA | $63,552 | $26,500 | -22% | Negative payoff |
| 38 | Central Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Mount Pleasant, MI | $62,999 | $27,000 | -28% | Negative payoff |
| 39 | Slippery Rock University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Slippery Rock, PA | $62,659 | Not available | -32% | Negative payoff |
| 40 | University of Wisconsin-WhitewaterBachelor's Degree | Whitewater, WI | $62,589 | $23,983 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 41 | University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignBachelor's Degree | Champaign, IL | $62,504 | $25,000 | -26% | Negative payoff |
| 42 | The University of Texas at AustinBachelor's Degree | Austin, TX | $62,438 | $21,875 | -33% | Negative payoff |
| 43 | University of Northern ColoradoBachelor's Degree | Greeley, CO | $62,369 | Not available | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 44 | Grand Valley State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Allendale, MI | $61,831 | $20,500 | -31% | Negative payoff |
| 45 | Texas Tech UniversityBachelor's Degree | Lubbock, TX | $60,831 | Not available | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 46 | Texas State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Marcos, TX | $60,646 | $22,657 | -37% | Negative payoff |
| 47 | Ohio State University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Columbus, OH | $60,363 | $23,250 | -38% | Negative payoff |
| 48 | University of IowaBachelor's Degree | Iowa City, IA | $59,578 | $23,904 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 49 | SUNY College at GeneseoBachelor's Degree | Geneseo, NY | $59,528 | $14,575 | -43% | Negative payoff |
| 50 | University of South Carolina-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, SC | $59,472 | $23,250 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 51 | University of Wisconsin-MadisonBachelor's Degree | Madison, WI | $59,424 | $20,250 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 52 | Salem State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salem, MA | $58,593 | $27,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 53 | University of Minnesota-DuluthBachelor's Degree | Duluth, MN | $58,569 | Not available | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 54 | Salisbury UniversityBachelor's Degree | Salisbury, MD | $58,548 | $25,000 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 55 | Appalachian State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Boone, NC | $58,289 | $17,750 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 56 | University of Wisconsin-Eau ClaireBachelor's Degree | Eau Claire, WI | $58,129 | $21,212 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 57 | San Diego State UniversityBachelor's Degree | San Diego, CA | $58,004 | $14,999 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 58 | Keene State CollegeBachelor's Degree | Keene, NH | $57,900 | Not available | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 59 | Millersville University of PennsylvaniaBachelor's Degree | Millersville, PA | $57,825 | Not available | -51% | Negative payoff |
| 60 | University of Colorado BoulderBachelor's Degree | Boulder, CO | $57,677 | $21,802 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 61 | University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeBachelor's Degree | Milwaukee, WI | $57,604 | $27,000 | -47% | Negative payoff |
| 62 | Rowan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Glassboro, NJ | $57,567 | $25,250 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 63 | Bridgewater State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Bridgewater, MA | $57,550 | $27,000 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 64 | California State Polytechnic University-PomonaBachelor's Degree | Pomona, CA | $57,424 | $15,826 | -45% | Negative payoff |
| 65 | University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusBachelor's Degree | Denver, CO | $57,285 | $22,468 | -46% | Negative payoff |
| 66 | University of North Carolina at CharlotteBachelor's Degree | Charlotte, NC | $57,208 | $23,954 | -49% | Negative payoff |
| 67 | SUNY OneontaBachelor's Degree | Oneonta, NY | $57,154 | $20,500 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 68 | West Virginia UniversityBachelor's Degree | Morgantown, WV | $57,075 | $23,089 | -50% | Negative payoff |
| 69 | Rutgers University-New BrunswickBachelor's Degree | New Brunswick, NJ | $56,979 | Not available | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 70 | University of LouisvilleBachelor's Degree | Louisville, KY | $56,775 | Not available | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 71 | Michigan State UniversityBachelor's Degree | East Lansing, MI | $56,515 | Not available | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 72 | Ohio University-Eastern CampusBachelor's Degree | Saint Clairsville, OH | $56,381 | $26,000 | -42% | Negative payoff |
| 73 | Ohio University-Chillicothe CampusBachelor's Degree | Chillicothe, OH | $56,381 | $26,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 74 | Ohio University-Southern CampusBachelor's Degree | Ironton, OH | $56,381 | $26,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 75 | Ohio University-Lancaster CampusBachelor's Degree | Lancaster, OH | $56,381 | $26,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 76 | Ohio University-Main CampusBachelor's Degree | Athens, OH | $56,381 | $26,000 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 77 | Ohio University-Zanesville CampusBachelor's Degree | Zanesville, OH | $56,381 | $26,000 | -44% | Negative payoff |
| 78 | University of Missouri-ColumbiaBachelor's Degree | Columbia, MO | $56,191 | $21,000 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 79 | University of OregonBachelor's Degree | Eugene, OR | $56,165 | $22,775 | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 80 | Sam Houston State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Huntsville, TX | $56,151 | $25,156 | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 81 | Minnesota State University-MankatoBachelor's Degree | Mankato, MN | $56,022 | Not available | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 82 | University of WyomingBachelor's Degree | Laramie, WY | $55,889 | Not available | -54% | Negative payoff |
| 83 | Northwest Missouri State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Maryville, MO | $55,656 | Not available | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 84 | University of North Carolina at GreensboroBachelor's Degree | Greensboro, NC | $55,532 | $22,851 | -53% | Negative payoff |
| 85 | Central Connecticut State UniversityBachelor's Degree | New Britain, CT | $55,274 | Not available | -58% | Negative payoff |
| 86 | University of South FloridaBachelor's Degree | Tampa, FL | $54,944 | Not available | -55% | Negative payoff |
| 87 | University of UtahBachelor's Degree | Salt Lake City, UT | $54,757 | $12,373 | -60% | Negative payoff |
| 88 | The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleBachelor's Degree | Knoxville, TN | $54,656 | $26,000 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 89 | Portland State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Portland, OR | $54,310 | $26,500 | -57% | Negative payoff |
| 90 | Ball State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Muncie, IN | $53,992 | $26,000 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 91 | Framingham State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Framingham, MA | $53,840 | Not available | -64% | Negative payoff |
| 92 | University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesBachelor's Degree | Minneapolis, MN | $53,666 | $20,500 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 93 | Kent State University at KentBachelor's Degree | Kent, OH | $53,656 | Not available | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 94 | Eastern Michigan UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ypsilanti, MI | $53,455 | $17,425 | -65% | Negative payoff |
| 95 | The University of Texas at San AntonioBachelor's Degree | San Antonio, TX | $53,449 | $16,750 | -62% | Negative payoff |
| 96 | Montclair State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Montclair, NJ | $53,285 | Not available | -66% | Negative payoff |
| 97 | University of Mary WashingtonBachelor's Degree | Fredericksburg, VA | $53,081 | $19,500 | -69% | Negative payoff |
| 98 | Central Washington UniversityBachelor's Degree | Ellensburg, WA | $53,081 | Not available | -68% | Negative payoff |
| 99 | Kennesaw State UniversityBachelor's Degree | Kennesaw, GA | $53,044 | $32,500 | -67% | Negative payoff |
| 100 | University of North TexasBachelor's Degree | Denton, TX | $52,712 | $20,994 | -68% | Negative payoff |
This page keeps the field and credential level fixed. Federal categories can still combine multiple catalog programs or concentrations. Automated ROI is limited to associate and bachelor’s degrees because institution-wide annual net price is not a reliable proxy for short certificate prices. ROI is an illustrative scenario, not a federal determination.