Best Value Geography and Cartography Colleges in Ohio

Ohio geography and cartography programs reveal a striking earnings gap, with Miami University graduates earning $42,682 annually while Ohio University main campus graduates average just $26,519. The state's 17 programs range from ultra-affordable regional campuses costing under $7,000 annually to full research universities exceeding $27,000. Ohio's geography students benefit from strong connections to the state's healthcare mapping needs at Cleveland Clinic and logistics planning for major manufacturers like Honda. Ohio State University stands out with an 87.70% graduation rate and $38,829 average earnings, while several Ohio University regional campuses offer remarkably low costs but struggle with graduation rates below 20%. The state's mix of urban centers and rural areas creates varied opportunities for geographic information systems work and environmental planning careers.

Programs

$4,503 – $27,662

Net Price Range

$34,227

Avg. Program Earnings

49.2%

Avg. Graduation Rate

17 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
#	School	Net Price	Program Earnings	In-State Tuition	Graduation Rate	Acceptance Rate
1	Youngstown State University Youngstown, Ohio	$11,877	$28,598	$10,791	52.9%	80.6%
2	Ohio State University-Main Campus Columbus, Ohio	$18,292	$38,829	$12,859	87.7%	52.7%
3	Bowling Green State University-Main Campus Bowling Green, Ohio	$20,918	$35,810	$14,081	62.8%	78.7%
4	Kent State University at Kent Kent, Ohio	$19,614	$32,925	$12,846	65.5%	88.0%
5	Miami University-Oxford Oxford, Ohio	$27,662	$42,682	$17,809	81.8%	87.9%
6	Ohio University-Main Campus Athens, Ohio	$20,413	$26,519	$13,746	66.4%	86.5%
7	University of Cincinnati-Main Campus Cincinnati, Ohio	$23,156		$13,570	71.5%	86.2%
8	Ohio University-Eastern Campus Saint Clairsville, Ohio	$4,503		$6,178	20.0%
9	Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus Chillicothe, Ohio	$6,483		$6,178	12.1%
10	Ohio University-Southern Campus Ironton, Ohio	$5,328		$6,178	19.3%
11	Ohio University-Lancaster Campus Lancaster, Ohio	$6,133		$6,178	13.7%
12	Ohio University-Zanesville Campus Zanesville, Ohio	$5,971		$6,178	17.7%
13	Ohio Wesleyan University Delaware, Ohio	$21,619		$52,357	61.7%	52.2%
14	University of Toledo Toledo, Ohio	$17,460		$12,377	55.6%	92.2%
15	Wittenberg University Springfield, Ohio	$19,470		$44,602	53.8%	93.9%
16	Wright State University-Main Campus Dayton, Ohio	$15,216		$11,188	45.9%	95.2%
17	University of Akron Main Campus Akron, Ohio	$14,981		$12,799	48.2%	82.9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What explains the $16,163 earnings difference between top and bottom programs?

Miami University graduates earn $42,682 annually compared to Ohio University main campus graduates at $26,519, reflecting differences in program resources and career networks. Miami's higher net cost of $27,662 correlates with stronger alumni connections in private sector mapping and consulting roles. The 81.80% graduation rate at Miami versus 66.40% at Ohio University also suggests more intensive academic preparation. Geographic location plays a role, as Miami's proximity to Cincinnati provides access to corporate headquarters requiring spatial analysis expertise.

How do Ohio University's regional campuses compare for value?

Ohio University's five regional campuses offer extremely low costs ranging from $4,503 to $6,483 annually but suffer from concerning graduation rates between 12.10% and 20.00%. The Eastern Campus provides the lowest net cost at $4,503 but graduates only 1 in 5 students. All regional campuses carry the same $26,000 average debt load as the main campus despite dramatically lower completion rates. Students seeking affordable entry points should weigh these low costs against the substantial risk of non-completion.

Does Ohio State University justify its $18,292 annual cost?

Ohio State delivers strong value with graduates earning $38,829 annually and achieving an 87.70% graduation rate, the highest among Ohio geography programs. The $20,500 average debt load remains reasonable given the earning potential that's $10,000 above the state average for geography graduates. The Columbus location provides internship access with state agencies and private firms requiring geographic information systems expertise. The 52.72% acceptance rate indicates selective admission standards that correlate with better outcomes.

Where do Ohio geography graduates find the best job markets?

Ohio's healthcare sector, anchored by Cleveland Clinic and Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, increasingly relies on geographic analysis for patient flow optimization and service area planning. Manufacturing companies like Honda use geographic information systems for supply chain logistics and site selection analysis. The state's mix of urban centers and agricultural regions creates demand for environmental consultants and municipal planners. Columbus and Cincinnati offer the highest concentration of geography-related positions, particularly in government agencies and consulting firms.

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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.