Best Value Geography and Cartography Colleges in Minnesota

Minnesota's geography programs show a striking earnings advantage at Bemidji State, where graduates earn $36,941 annually despite the program's $17,050 net cost. The state's geospatial industry benefits from Target's massive supply chain operations and the growing precision agriculture sector across rural Minnesota. Eight programs range from Saint Cloud State's budget-friendly $14,485 option to premium choices like Macalester at $29,980, creating pathways for different financial situations.

Programs

$14,485 – $30,525

Net Price Range

$35,801

Avg. Program Earnings

68.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

8 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Saint Cloud State University Saint Cloud, Minnesota	$14,485	$36,312	$10,117	46.9%	95.3%
2	Bemidji State University Bemidji, Minnesota	$17,050	$36,941	$10,164	53.4%	77.5%
3	University of Minnesota-Twin Cities Minneapolis, Minnesota	$17,139	$35,988	$16,488	84.8%	74.9%
4	Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota	$18,609	$34,704	$9,490	54.1%	70.7%
5	Gustavus Adolphus College Saint Peter, Minnesota	$26,895	$38,289	$54,310	75.9%	73.9%
6	Macalester College Saint Paul, Minnesota	$29,980	$32,569	$64,908	90.4%	28.4%
7	University of Minnesota-Duluth Duluth, Minnesota	$18,464		$14,318	64.5%	80.7%
8	University of St Thomas Saint Paul, Minnesota	$30,525		$52,284	75.2%	77.0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the wide graduation rate gap between Minnesota geography programs?

Graduation rates span from 46.90% at Saint Cloud State to 90.40% at Macalester College, largely reflecting institutional resources and student preparation levels. The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities achieves an 84.80% rate while maintaining relatively affordable costs at $17,139 net price.

How do public university costs compare for geography students in Minnesota?

In-state students pay between $9,490 at Minnesota State Mankato and $16,488 at the Twin Cities campus. Saint Cloud State offers the lowest overall net cost at $14,485, making it particularly attractive for budget-conscious students entering the geographic information systems field.

Does acceptance rate indicate program competitiveness in Minnesota geography?

Acceptance rates vary dramatically, from Macalester's selective 28.42% to Saint Cloud State's open 95.28% admission policy. This range reflects different institutional missions rather than program quality, with most public options accepting 70-80% of applicants.

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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.