by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography And Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) programs reward a close look at where graduates go on to earn the most. The highest-paying schools turn a geography and cartography degree into the strongest early-career earnings.
For its 2026 highest-paid-graduates ranking, College Factual looked at 100 schools to find where geography and cartography graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools send geography and cartography graduates into the highest-paying careers, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked Michigan State University the top school for geography and cartography graduate earnings in the United States. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Michigan State University typically earn about $72,290 annually.
Strong graduate earnings at Northern Arizona University earned it the #2 place for geography and cartography. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $70,982.
West Chester University Of Pennsylvania produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geography and cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. West Chester University Of Pennsylvania is a public school located in the suburb of West Chester. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from West Chester University Of Pennsylvania make a median of around $66,381 per year.
Students chasing top earnings in geography and cartography will find them at Central Michigan University, which ranked #4. Located in the town of Mount Pleasant, Central Michigan University is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Central Michigan University typically earn about $61,764 annually.
A rank of #5 makes Saint Cloud State University one of the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Located in the city of Saint Cloud, Saint Cloud State University is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $61,359.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #6 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of about $71,323 a year early in their careers.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus placed #7 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a public school located in the suburb of Norman. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $60,264.
Northern Illinois University earned the #8 position for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Northern Illinois University typically earn about $59,972 annually.
Park University came in at #9 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Park University is a private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from Park University make a median of around $58,786 per year.
Towson University landed the #10 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Towson University is a public school located in the city of Towson. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from Towson University make a median of around $58,017 per year.
George Mason University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from George Mason University make a median of around $69,330 per year.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $56,803.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a public institution. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of Mary Washington make a median of around $56,193 per year.
California State University Sacramento earned the #14 position for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. California State University Sacramento is a public school located in the city of Sacramento. Geography And Cartography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of about $66,360 a year early in their careers.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a public school located in the suburb of College Park. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of Maryland College Park make a median of around $77,031 per year.
Framingham State University ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the city of Framingham, Framingham State University is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Framingham State University earn a median of about $54,440 a year early in their careers.
Central Connecticut State University ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Set in the suburb of New Britain, Central Connecticut State University is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Central Connecticut State University earn a median of about $54,290 a year early in their careers.
Temple University came in at #18 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Temple University is a public school located in the city of Philadelphia. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Temple University typically earn about $53,400 annually.
California State University Fresno ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the city of Fresno, California State University Fresno is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of California State University Fresno earn a median of about $53,372 a year early in their careers.
Arizona State University placed #20 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,314.
Arizona State University Skysong ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Arizona State University Skysong earn a median of about $59,314 a year early in their careers.
California State University Chico ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the city of Chico, California State University Chico is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of about $72,207 a year early in their careers.
University Of Nevada Reno ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Set in the city of Reno, University Of Nevada Reno is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $53,079.
George Washington University placed #24 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a private not-for-profit institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,883.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a public school located in the city of Seattle. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $67,979.
These schools also send geography and cartography graduates into strong-paying careers this year:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare highest-paid Geography And Cartography rankings across degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual, 2026 edition. The methodology measures the salaries geography and cartography graduates go on to earn early in their careers, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 100 schools evaluated.
*Salary figures reflect median early-career earnings (about 5 years after graduation) and may vary by how long a person takes to complete their degree.
More about our data sources and methodologies.