Geography & Cartography
Quick Facts: Geography & Cartography Training
Where it's offered
Geography & Cartography programs are offered at 15 schools across 11 states. Most students attend a school within driving distance of home — use the state picker below to see programs near you.
Earnings expectations
Graduates earn approximately $40,903/year on average one year after completion, per the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard. Pay scales with experience, certifications, and regional cost-of-living.
Apprenticeship pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 6 registered apprenticeship pathways related to Geography & Cartography — earn-while-you-learn alternatives to traditional schooling. See apprenticeship.gov for the federal registry.
Program quality benchmark
Across the 15 schools we analyze, the average TradeSchoolOutlook Score is 44/100. Higher-scoring programs combine strong graduate earnings, manageable cost, and strong job-market demand — see the leaderboard further down for the highest-rated options.
What Geography & Cartography Graduates Do
Your career often begins in the field as a surveying and mapping technician. You’ll spend your days outdoors, using high-tech equipment like GPS, robotic total stations, and drones to collect precise data for construction projects, property boundaries, and environmental assessments. As you gain experience, you can move into an office-based role as a cartographer. Here, you'll use specialized software to transform raw data from surveys and satellite imagery into detailed digital maps, 3D models, and geographic analyses.
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This field offers steady growth and a clear path for advancement. You might progress from a field technician to a lead cartographer or a project manager overseeing entire mapping operations. While you’ll start with a solid technician’s salary, your earnings grow significantly with experience, as specialists and managers command six-figure incomes. While AI tools will increasingly assist with data processing and initial design, the core work of hands-on field collection and the critical design decisions needed to create clear, accurate maps remains a fundamentally human skill. Your expertise in validating data and solving real-world spatial problems will be essential.
You may also want to compare Geography & Cartography with International Relations, Social Sciences Studies, and Criminology on earnings and ROI.
Registered Apprenticeship Pathways
The U.S. Department of Labor recognizes 6 registered apprenticeship occupations related to Geography & Cartography. Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn — most have zero tuition costs and pay wages from day one.
| Apprenticeship | Training Hours | Type | Salary RangeSalary | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Chief Of Party (Prof & Kin)
RAPIDS 53 |
8000 hrs
~4.0 yrs |
Time | $44K – $51,940 – $65K | 4.5% |
|
Geodetic Computator
RAPIDS 217 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $44K – $51,940 – $65K | 4.5% |
|
Geospatial Specialist
RAPIDS 1062CB |
Competency | Competency | $63K – $78,380 – $100K | 6.4% |
|
Health Information Management Privacy And Security Officer
RAPIDS 2073CB |
Competency | Competency | $100K – $136,550 – $179K | 4.5% |
|
Photogrammetric Technician
RAPIDS 546 |
6000 hrs
~3.0 yrs |
Time | $44K – $51,940 – $65K | 4.5% |
|
Surveyor Assistant Instrument
RAPIDS 551 |
4000 hrs
~2.0 yrs |
Time | $44K – $51,940 – $65K | 4.5% |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database (RAPIDS). Wages and job growth from Bureau of Labor Statistics 2024–2034 projections.
Find Geography & Cartography Programs in Your State
Trade and community college programs are local decisions — most students pick a school within driving distance. Geography & Cartography is offered at 15 schools across 11 states. Pick your state to see a local comparison (states with fewer programs link to the state hub).
Top Geography & Cartography Programs Nationally
For context, here are the highest-scoring Geography & Cartography programs in the country. Most students attend a school within 60 miles of home, so your state list above is usually more actionable — but these are the benchmarks others compete against.
15 schools ranked by TradeSchoolOutlook Score. Click any row for full earnings projections and career analysis.
| # | School | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FL |
66 61–68 |
| 2 | Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, MN |
63 58–65 |
| 3 | Portland Community College Portland, OR |
62 58–65 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Whitewater, WI |
59 55–62 |
| 5 | Texas State University San Marcos, TX |
57 53–59 |
| 6 | University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown Johnstown, PA |
55 48–58 |
| 7 | Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Shippensburg, PA |
55 47–59 |
| 8 | Mitchell Technical College Mitchell, SD |
54 48–56 |
| 9 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZ |
54 51–57 |
| 10 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZ |
53 47–56 |
| 11 | University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus Pittsburgh, PA |
51 45–54 |
| 12 | Western Washington University Bellingham, WA |
51 47–53 |
| 13 | DePaul University Chicago, IL |
50 44–52 |
| 14 | Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI |
49 45–51 |
| 15 | Temple University Philadelphia, PA |
43 36–46 |
Highest Earning Geography & Cartography Programs
Schools where Geography & Cartography graduates earn the most in their first year after graduation.
| School | 1-Year Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | $50,411/yr | 63 |
| DePaul University | $47,464/yr | 50 |
| Texas State University | $44,270/yr | 57 |
| Florida Atlantic University | $42,833/yr | 66 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | $42,580/yr | 59 |
| Mitchell Technical College | $41,879/yr | 54 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | $41,627/yr | 54 |
| Arizona State University Digital Immersion | $41,627/yr | 53 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | $40,962/yr | 55 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus | $40,962/yr | 51 |
Best ROI for Geography & Cartography
Schools with the highest earnings-to-tuition ratio for Geography & Cartography.
| School | ROI Multiple | Earnings | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Atlantic University | 86.8x | $42,833/yr | 66 |
| Portland Community College | 75.8x | $38,714/yr | 62 |
| Minnesota State University-Mankato | 52.1x | $50,411/yr | 63 |
| University of Wisconsin-Whitewater | 50.6x | $42,580/yr | 59 |
| Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania | 43.8x | $38,439/yr | 55 |
| University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown | 37.9x | $40,962/yr | 55 |
| Texas State University | 37.7x | $44,270/yr | 57 |
| Western Washington University | 35.9x | $34,230/yr | 51 |
| Arizona State University Campus Immersion | 33.5x | $41,627/yr | 54 |
| Mitchell Technical College | 32.0x | $41,879/yr | 54 |
Related Majors
Explore similar fields of study.
Considering a 4-Year Degree?
Compare the trade route with a bachelor's degree. See how Geography & Cartography degree programs stack up on earnings and ROI.