Grad school · Social sciences

Geography graduate programs: earnings and debt by school

133 colleges award master's degrees in geography. Graduates of the typical program earned $68,403 a year after finishing, and those who borrowed left with a median of $27,230 in federal loans taken at the school.

Master's programs133

Graduates in 2023-241,135

Typical median debt$27,230

Typical earnings 1 yr after$68,403

Typical earnings 4 yrs after$83,256

Earnings to debt2.5x

Official field: Geography and Cartography. Admission figures such as LSAT, MCAT or GRE scores are not part of this federal data, so check each school.

Degree level	Programs	Typical earnings 1 yr after	Typical median debt
Master's	133	$68,403	$27,230
Doctoral	50	n/a	n/a

Is it worth it? Debt vs first-year pay

Each dot is one master's program. Dots above the dashed line have graduates earning more in their first year than the program's median debt.

Earnings above median debt Debt above first-year earnings

Master's programs in geography

Highest first-year earnings

Johns Hopkins University$91,051

Pennsylvania State University-World Campus$79,400

University of Wisconsin-Madison$77,559

University of Maryland-College Park$77,062

University of Southern California$76,900

California State University-Long Beach$72,004

University of Arizona$69,954

University of Massachusetts-Amherst$68,403

Filter by school, city or state

College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA	18	n/a	$114,744	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI	34	$77,559	$111,616	$30,375
Pennsylvania State University-World CampusUniversity Park, PA	89	$79,400	$102,798	$36,671
George Washington UniversityWashington, DC	11	n/a	$100,602	n/a
University of DenverDenver, CO	16	n/a	$90,604	n/a
University of Washington-Tacoma CampusTacoma, WA	11	n/a	$90,418	n/a
California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA	29	$72,004	$87,165	$20,500
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA	39	$76,900	$83,256	$77,647
University of ArizonaTucson, AZ	40	$69,954	$80,622	$30,150
University of Central ArkansasConway, AR	8	n/a	$79,722	n/a
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	9	$66,794	$78,144	n/a
Clark UniversityWorcester, MA	19	$62,059	$76,513	n/a
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL	14	n/a	$69,641	n/a
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ	24	$59,470	$69,050	n/a
Arizona State University Digital ImmersionScottsdale, AZ	5	$59,470	$69,050	n/a
Johns Hopkins UniversityBaltimore, MD	10	$91,051	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD	41	$77,062	n/a	n/a
University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MA	17	$68,403	n/a	$17,762
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical CampusDenver, CO	8	$64,840	n/a	n/a
Kent State University at KentKent, OH	20	$64,112	n/a	n/a
Unity Environmental UniversityNew Gloucester, ME	25	$50,762	n/a	$24,309
Appalachian State UniversityBoone, NC	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Auburn UniversityAuburn, AL	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Auburn University at MontgomeryMontgomery, AL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ball State UniversityMuncie, IN	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Binghamton UniversityVestal, NY	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
CUNY Hunter CollegeNew York, NY	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
CUNY Lehman CollegeBronx, NY	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-FullertonFullerton, CA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge, CA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Calvin UniversityGrand Rapids, MI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Central Connecticut State UniversityNew Britain, CT	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Central Michigan UniversityMount Pleasant, MI	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Chicago State UniversityChicago, IL	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Delta State UniversityCleveland, MS	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
East Carolina UniversityGreenville, NC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Eastern Illinois UniversityCharleston, IL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Eastern Michigan UniversityYpsilanti, MI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Elmhurst UniversityElmhurst, IL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main CampusAtlanta, GA	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Georgia Southern UniversityStatesboro, GA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Idaho State UniversityPocatello, ID	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University of PennsylvaniaIndiana, PA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-IndianapolisIndianapolis, IN	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Jacksonville State UniversityJacksonville, AL	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Kansas State UniversityManhattan, KS	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Liberty UniversityLynchburg, VA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Marshall UniversityHuntington, WV	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
Miami University-OxfordOxford, OH	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Michigan Technological UniversityHoughton, MI	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Minnesota State University-MankatoMankato, MN	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
New Mexico State University-Main CampusLas Cruces, NM	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Arizona UniversityFlagstaff, AZ	14	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northwest Missouri State UniversityMaryville, MO	46	n/a	n/a	$23,341
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Portland State UniversityPortland, OR	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Cloud State UniversitySaint Cloud, MN	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Mary's University of MinnesotaWinona, MN	8	n/a	n/a	n/a
Salem State UniversitySalem, MA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Salisbury UniversitySalisbury, MD	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Sam Houston State UniversityHuntsville, TX	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco, CA	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Jose State UniversitySan Jose, CA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
South Dakota State UniversityBrookings, SD	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville, IL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX	14	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas Tech UniversityLubbock, TX	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of MontanaMissoula, MT	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at San AntonioSan Antonio, TX	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Towson UniversityTowson, MD	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto RicoHato Rey, PR	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at AlbanyAlbany, NY	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University at BuffaloBuffalo, NY	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ArkansasFayetteville, AR	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-DavisDavis, CA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	20	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Colorado Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, CO	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of FloridaGainesville, FL	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of GeorgiaAthens, GA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IdahoMoscow, ID	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IowaIowa City, IA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of KentuckyLexington, KY	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of LouisvilleLouisville, KY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Mary WashingtonFredericksburg, VA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD	13	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of MiamiCoral Gables, FL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN	14	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Missouri-ColumbiaColumbia, MO	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nebraska at OmahaOmaha, NE	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nebraska-LincolnLincoln, NE	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Nevada-RenoReno, NV	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of New Mexico-Main CampusAlbuquerque, NM	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North AlabamaFlorence, AL	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North DakotaGrand Forks, ND	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North TexasDenton, TX	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Northern IowaCedar Falls, IA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, PA	20	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh CampusPittsburgh, PA	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of RedlandsRedlands, CA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South FloridaTampa, FL	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Southern MississippiHattiesburg, MS	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT	15	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of West FloridaPensacola, FL	24	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of WyomingLaramie, WY	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
West Chester University of PennsylvaniaWest Chester, PA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
Western Illinois UniversityMacomb, IL	12	n/a	n/a	n/a
Western Kentucky UniversityBowling Green, KY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a

Doctoral programs in geography

Filter by school, city or state

College	Graduates (2023-24)	Earnings 1 yr after	Earnings 4 yrs after	Median debt
Arizona State University Campus ImmersionTempe, AZ	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
Florida State UniversityTallahassee, FL	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, IN	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Kent State University at KentKent, OH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical CollegeBaton Rouge, LA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
Northern Illinois UniversityDekalb, IL	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Ohio State University-Main CampusColumbus, OH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oklahoma State University-Main CampusStillwater, OK	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
Rutgers University-New BrunswickNew Brunswick, NJ	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis, MO	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
San Diego State UniversitySan Diego, CA	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Syracuse UniversitySyracuse, NY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Temple UniversityPhiladelphia, PA	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas A&M University-College StationCollege Station, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Texas State UniversitySan Marcos, TX	10	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of AlabamaTuscaloosa, AL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at AustinAustin, TX	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
The University of Texas at DallasRichardson, TX	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ArizonaTucson, AZ	6	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-DavisDavis, CA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles, CA	7	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of California-Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara, CA	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Cincinnati-Main CampusCincinnati, OH	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ConnecticutStorrs, CT	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of DenverDenver, CO	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of FloridaGainesville, FL	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of GeorgiaAthens, GA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Hawaii at ManoaHonolulu, HI	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IdahoMoscow, ID	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL	0	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of IowaIowa City, IA	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of KentuckyLexington, KY	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-Baltimore CountyBaltimore, MD	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Maryland-College ParkCollege Park, MD	11	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Minnesota-Twin CitiesMinneapolis, MN	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at Chapel HillChapel Hill, NC	5	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at CharlotteCharlotte, NC	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of North Carolina at GreensboroGreensboro, NC	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Oklahoma-Norman CampusNorman, OK	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South Carolina-ColumbiaColumbia, SC	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of South FloridaTampa, FL	1	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CA	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of ToledoToledo, OH	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of UtahSalt Lake City, UT	4	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MadisonMadison, WI	9	n/a	n/a	n/a
University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WI	3	n/a	n/a	n/a
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State UniversityBlacksburg, VA	2	n/a	n/a	n/a
West Virginia UniversityMorgantown, WV	0	n/a	n/a	n/a

Frequently asked questions

How much do geography graduates earn?

Graduates of the typical master's program earned a median of $68,403 one year after finishing, in 2024 dollars.

How much debt do geography graduate students take on?

The typical program's graduates who borrowed left with a median of $27,230 in federal loans taken at that school. Undergraduate loans are not included.

Undergraduate: Geography major

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field of study file, data release of October 15, 2026. Earnings are medians for graduates who received federal aid and were working, not enrolled. One-year figures: graduates of 2020-21 and 2021-22, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Four-year figures: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. More on the data.