by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography And Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) graduates earn very different salaries depending on where they study. The schools below stand out for the salaries their geography and cartography graduates go on to command.
College Factual analyzed 21 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools.
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 Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a public institution. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from Michigan State University make a median of around $72,290 per year.
A rank of #2 makes Central Michigan University one of the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Central Michigan University is a public school located in the town of Mount Pleasant. Geography And Cartography graduates of Central Michigan University earn a median of about $61,764 a year early in their careers.
Northern Illinois University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geography and cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Northern Illinois University earn a median of about $59,972 a year early in their careers.
Students chasing top earnings in geography and cartography will find them at Depaul University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul 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 $47,464.
Strong graduate earnings at Ohio State University Main Campus earned it the #5 place for geography and cartography. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Ohio State University Main Campus typically earn about $62,445 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #6 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $62,158.
Western Michigan University landed the #7 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Western Michigan University is a public school located in the city of Kalamazoo. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Western Michigan University typically earn about $47,993 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned the #8 position for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a public institution. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire make a median of around $55,942 per year.
Valparaiso University placed #9 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Located in the suburb of Valparaiso, Valparaiso University is a private not-for-profit institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Valparaiso University typically earn about $44,153 annually.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a public school located in the town of Whitewater. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater make a median of around $57,676 per year.
Eastern Illinois University placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Eastern Illinois University is a public school located in the town of Charleston. Geography And Cartography graduates of Eastern Illinois University earn a median of about $42,564 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin La Crosse typically earn about $49,518 annually.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #13 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign typically earn about $42,214 annually.
Ball State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Set in the city of Muncie, Ball State University is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $52,447.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $41,103.
Augustana College Illinois landed the #16 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Augustana College Illinois is a private not-for-profit school located in the city of Rock Island. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from Augustana College Illinois make a median of around $40,683 per year.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $49,300.
Grand Valley State University placed #18 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of about $52,050 a year early in their careers.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #19 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Set in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of about $48,350 a year early in their careers.
University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee came in at #20 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee is a public school located in the city of Milwaukee. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of Wisconsin Milwaukee make a median of around $44,943 per year.
Illinois State University landed the #21 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Illinois State University is a public school located in the suburb of Normal. Geography And Cartography graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of about $34,952 a year early in their careers.
This list is compiled by College Factual, 2026 edition. Schools are ranked on the median early-career earnings of their geography and cartography graduates, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard field-of-study earnings and IPEDS).
Ranking method: College Major Earnings · 21 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.