WhatGradsMake
Bachelor's-4% vs national median322 grads tracked

Geography and Cartography at Northern Illinois University

Ranked 74th of 128 bachelor's programs in Geography and Cartography by 5-year earnings.

Median · 1 year out
$39,447
middle 50%: $28,901 – $53,343
Median · 5 years out
$56,363
middle 50%: $41,597 – $70,053
Median · 10 years out
$71,700
middle 50%: $56,346 – $90,348

Salary trajectory

Median earnings vs the national median for Geography and Cartography (bachelor's) graduates.

This program (median)National median, same major & degreeMiddle 50% of graduates

Graduates of Northern Illinois University's bachelor's program in Geography and Cartography earn a median $39,447 one year after graduating, rising to $71,700 by year ten. Five years out, earnings run 4% below the national median of $58,574 for this field, ranking 74th of 128 reporting programs.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau PSEO, release V4.13.0 2025Q4. Earnings are for graduates working in covered states; figures are medians in nominal dollars.

Will the degree pay for itself?

Drag the sliders — payback uses this program's actual salary curve.

Assumes a 6.5% APR loan and this program's median salary trajectory (interpolated between years 1, 5 and 10).

Paid off in
7.4 yrs
≈ $8,647 total interest

Same major at other universities

Ohio University
$57,072 · 5 yrs out
University of Oregon
$56,923 · 5 yrs out
Central Connecticut State University
$56,668 · 5 yrs out
University of Wyoming
$56,563 · 5 yrs out
Illinois State University
$56,473 · 5 yrs out
University of North Carolina at Wilmington (The)
$56,453 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Platteville
$56,170 · 5 yrs out
Fayetteville State University
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
Portland State University
$55,935 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point
$55,856 · 5 yrs out
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
$55,817 · 5 yrs out
University of Northern Iowa
$55,789 · 5 yrs out

Other majors at Northern Illinois University

Education (Doctorate)
$119,874 · 5 yrs out
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services (Master's)
$115,599 · 5 yrs out
Engineering (Master's)
$111,551 · 5 yrs out
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services (Master's)
$111,291 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Doctorate)
$109,443 · 5 yrs out
Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians (Master's)
$102,156 · 5 yrs out
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's)
$97,392 · 5 yrs out
Psychology (Doctorate)
$97,297 · 5 yrs out
Public Administration and Social Service Professions (Master's)
$95,329 · 5 yrs out
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's)
$95,041 · 5 yrs out
Mathematics and Statistics (Master's)
$93,400 · 5 yrs out
Social Sciences (Doctorate)
$92,787 · 5 yrs out

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