Program Analysis
Graduates earn $34,274/yr, roughly in line with the $38,355 national median for Geography and Cartography. The value proposition here depends on cost, not earnings.
The 12.5x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. By pure financial math, this is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 49% task exposure — and the 8% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook.
The $24,750 debt-to-$34,274 income ratio translates to about 9 months of earnings. Standard loan terms should handle this comfortably.
At #66 out of 95 programs, Ball State University's financial outcomes for Geography and Cartography trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.
Earnings growth from $34,274 to $52,447 over five years (53% increase) indicates that graduates in this field see meaningful salary progression.