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Geography and Cartography Colleges Under $20,000

Programs with net price under $20,000. See our methodology.

California dominates affordable geography and cartography education, claiming 6 of the top 15 most budget-friendly programs nationwide. Net costs range dramatically from CUNY Hunter College's $2,446 to Ohio University-Lancaster's $6,133, creating opportunities for students across different financial circumstances. The field connects directly to federal mapping agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey and Census Bureau, which maintain major operations throughout these regions and regularly recruit geography graduates. Graduation rates vary significantly among these programs, from Ohio University-Lancaster's 13.7% to University of Florida-Online's impressive 77.7%. Several California State campuses offer particularly strong value propositions, with CSU-Fullerton achieving a 69.2% graduation rate while maintaining net costs around $5,646. Geography and cartography students at these institutions often find entry-level positions paying between $19,227 and $39,009, making the low educational costs an attractive return on investment for this specialized field.
50
Programs
$2,446 – $11,276
Net Price Range
$31,898
Avg. Program Earnings
47.8%
Avg. Graduation Rate

50 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $2,446 $7,382 61.0% 47.9%
2 $3,482 $7,410 49.3% 55.3%
3 $3,486 $7,340 54.7% 66.6%
4 $3,659 $7,064 46.9% 89.1%
5 $4,113 $6,813 52.6% 86.9%
6 $4,503 $6,178 20.0%
7 $4,702 $3,876 77.7% 64.6%
8 $5,115 $7,490 32.8%
9 $5,328 $6,178 19.3%
10 $5,646 $7,073 69.2% 66.7%
11 $5,671 $7,826 58.0% 96.6%
12 $5,918 $7,675 54.7% 91.1%
13 $5,971 $6,178 17.7%
14 $6,007 $7,001 25.6% 45.0%
15 $6,133 $6,178 13.7%
16 $6,351 $6,381 91.5% 23.4%
17 $6,480 $6,980 54.8% 95.4%
18 $6,483 $6,178 12.1%
19 $6,507 $5,324 52.5% 51.6%
20 $6,747 $8,147 52.2% 78.1%
21 $7,168 $10,896 48.3% 86.0%
22 $7,360 $3,969 35.2% 81.2%
23 $7,599 $7,095 56.2% 91.2%
24 $8,001 $4,879 64.3% 81.3%
25 $8,257 $8,179 33.4% 85.2%
26 $8,327 $8,942 48.7% 96.9%
27 $8,896 $17,462 59.5% 97.9%
28 $8,931 $7,008 69.9% 40.0%
29 $9,133 $6,565 73.9% 63.9%
30 $9,173 $8,576 57.1% 73.2%
31 $9,287 $8,032 32.7% 70.1%
32 $9,634 $8,640 36.7%
33 $9,837 $10,904 16.2%
34 $9,962 $10,130 49.7% 64.3%
35 $9,983 $9,700 42.3% 91.4%
36 $10,043 $6,410 74.6% 43.9%
37 $10,044 $7,855 39.8% 72.8%
38 $10,089 $9,838 47.7% 84.0%
39 $10,133 $12,754 16.9% 48.5%
40 $10,170 $7,593 57.9% 91.9%
41 $10,512 $7,602 55.8% 93.2%
42 $10,722 $6,391 43.0%
43 $10,854 $4,740 30.1%
44 $10,916 $11,436 53.7% 97.0%
45 $10,988 $10,986 46.2% 87.5%
46 $10,997 $5,656 83.0% 25.0%
47 $11,024 $11,990 54.0% 95.7%
48 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
49 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
50 $11,276 $7,055 45.5% 96.2%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the huge graduation rate differences between Ohio University campuses?

Ohio University's regional campuses show concerning completion patterns, with Lancaster at 13.7%, Zanesville at 17.7%, and Southern at 19.3%. These branch campuses primarily serve commuter students who often balance work and family responsibilities while studying part-time. The Eastern Campus performs slightly better at 20% graduation rate, though all four campuses carry similar $26,000 debt loads for graduates.

How do CUNY geography programs compare in terms of cost and outcomes?

CUNY schools offer the lowest net costs nationally, with Hunter College leading at $2,446 annually. Hunter also delivers the strongest graduation rate among CUNY options at 61%, while Staten Island trails significantly at 32.8%. Lehman College falls in the middle with 49.3% completion and $3,482 net cost, making Hunter the clear value leader for New York residents.

Is University of Florida-Online worth considering despite higher costs?

UF-Online justifies its $4,702 net cost with the highest graduation rate at 77.7% and strong earnings potential of $35,954. The program also maintains relatively low debt levels at $16,407 compared to other schools. For students seeking online flexibility without sacrificing academic rigor, UF-Online delivers measurable outcomes that offset the moderate cost increase.

Does California State University placement vary significantly by campus location?

California State earnings data shows notable variation, with Los Angeles campus graduates earning $33,993 compared to Fullerton's $28,309. CSU-Dominguez Hills in Carson offers the lowest net cost at $3,659 but lacks earnings data for comparison. Stanislaus achieves 58% graduation rates with 96.61% acceptance, indicating less selective admission standards than other CSU campuses.

Where do geography graduates typically find employment after these programs?

Early career geography graduates from these programs often start with government agencies, earning between $19,227 and $39,009 depending on location and specialization. Federal employers like NOAA, Census Bureau, and state environmental agencies actively recruit from public universities. Private sector opportunities include consulting firms, utilities, and technology companies developing location-based services and mapping applications.

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Net price reflects the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students. See our methodology for details.