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University of Houston-Clear Lake stands out with the lowest net cost at $11,056 among Texas geography and cartography programs, while Texas A&M College Station graduates command the highest salaries at $41,565 annually. The $22,475 gap between lowest and highest net costs reflects the state's mix of regional universities and flagship institutions. Texas geography programs benefit from the state's massive energy sector, where Geographic Information Systems specialists map oil and gas resources across the Permian Basin and Eagle Ford Shale formations. With 13 programs spanning from $11,056 to $33,531 in net costs, students can find affordable pathways into a field essential to Texas infrastructure planning.
13
Programs
$11,056 – $33,531
Net Price Range
$37,895
Avg. Program Earnings
61.9%
Avg. Graduation Rate

13 Geography and Cartography Programs

Program rankings
# School Net Price Program Earnings In-State Tuition Graduation Rate Acceptance Rate
1 $14,352 $40,537 $11,164 59.6% 79.1%
2 $16,438 $36,717 $11,450 56.2% 87.7%
3 $19,678 $39,523 $11,678 87.6% 31.4%
4 $20,924 $41,565 $13,099 83.8% 62.7%
5 $16,025 $31,133 $9,228 55.1% 84.6%
6 $15,137 $9,748 33.7% 88.0%
7 $11,056 $7,746 50.9% 69.4%
8 $15,152 $10,600 51.7% 89.5%
9 $20,261 $7,878 51.2% 87.1%
10 $17,435 $14,564 70.8% 84.7%
11 $33,531 $57,220 85.6% 56.1%
12 $11,234 $8,991 51.2% 86.9%
13 $20,071 $11,852 67.5% 67.3%

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes University of Houston-Clear Lake the most affordable option?

UH-Clear Lake offers the lowest net cost at $11,056 with in-state tuition of just $7,746. The university serves working professionals in the Houston metropolitan area, keeping costs down while maintaining access to one of the nation's largest job markets for geographic analysts.

How do earnings compare between the most and least expensive programs?

Texas A&M College Station graduates earn $41,565 despite a $20,924 net cost, while Sam Houston State graduates earn $31,133 with a $16,025 net cost. The $10,432 earnings difference suggests that program reputation and alumni networks significantly impact starting salaries in geography careers.

Is Texas Christian University worth the private school premium?

TCU costs $33,531 net compared to public alternatives under $21,000, but offers an 85.60% graduation rate and 56.10% acceptance rate. The smaller class sizes and alumni connections may justify the higher cost for students seeking specialized cartography training in urban planning or environmental consulting.

Where do geography graduates find the best job opportunities in Texas?

Houston's energy sector employs numerous GIS specialists for pipeline mapping and environmental monitoring, while Austin's tech industry increasingly demands spatial data analysts. Texas geography graduates also find opportunities with the Texas Department of Transportation and municipal planning departments across the state's rapidly growing metropolitan areas.

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