by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography And Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field where your choice of school can shape what you earn after graduation. 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 19 schools to find where geography and cartography graduates earn the most.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools whose geography and cartography graduates go on to earn the most.
Our analysis ranked George Mason University the top school for geography and cartography graduate earnings in the Southeast Region. George Mason University is a public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from George Mason University typically earn about $69,330 annually.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. 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.
Appalachian State University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geography and cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a public institution. Geography And Cartography graduates of Appalachian State University earn a median of about $59,598 a year early in their careers.
Strong graduate earnings at University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earned it the #4 place for geography and cartography. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $65,598.
James Madison University produces some of the highest-paid graduates in geography and cartography, landing the #5 spot this year. James Madison University is a public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from James Madison University typically earn about $60,642 annually.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #6 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University typically earn about $65,342 annually.
University Of South Carolina Columbia came in at #7 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. University Of South Carolina Columbia is a public school located in the city of Columbia. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of South Carolina Columbia make a median of around $53,719 per year.
Kennesaw State University landed the #8 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Kennesaw State University is a public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Kennesaw State University typically earn about $61,548 annually.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a public institution. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from Eastern Kentucky University make a median of around $45,642 per year.
The University Of Tennessee came in at #10 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee typically earn about $52,073 annually.
University Of South Florida Main Campus placed #11 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $59,516.
University Of Louisville placed #12 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a public institution. Early-career geography and cartography graduates from University Of Louisville make a median of around $57,437 per year.
University Of North Alabama placed #13 among the highest-paying schools for geography and cartography. University Of North Alabama is a public school located in the city of Florence. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from University Of North Alabama typically earn about $50,714 annually.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #14 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. Florida Atlantic University is a public school located in the city of Boca Raton. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University typically earn about $42,833 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the highest-paying geography and cartography schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill typically earn about $42,454 annually.
West Virginia University landed the #16 spot for geography and cartography salaries this year. West Virginia University is a public school located in the city of Morgantown. Geography And Cartography graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of about $52,226 a year early in their careers.
Florida State University earned the #17 position for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a public institution. Students who complete the geography and cartography program here go on to a median salary of roughly $47,482.
University Of Georgia earned the #18 position for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from University Of Georgia typically earn about $58,281 annually.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #19 for geography and cartography graduate earnings this year. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a public institution. After graduating, geography and cartography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Greensboro typically earn about $50,081 annually.
The ranking above is published 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 · 19 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.