Cartography Degree in Albuquerque, NM — Salary & ROI 2026
Cartography degree analysis for Albuquerque, NM. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$69K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$98K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
2.5 yrs
in Albuquerque
Cost of Living
111
index (100 = avg)
Cartography in Albuquerque, NM Overview
Albuquerque is one of New Mexico's top college towns, with 40 institutions and a student population of 37,837. Public tuition averages $4,872/year here — well below the national average, making it a cost-effective choice. Cartography has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for GIS and Remote Sensing skills. The adjusted starting salary in Albuquerque is approximately $68,820.
Category
STEM
Local Colleges
40
Public Tuition
$4,872/yr
Private Tuition
$14,580/yr
Room & Board
$13,830/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$13,246/yr
Unemployment
4.4%
Graduation Rate
70%
Cartography Salary in Albuquerque (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Albuquerque's cost of living index of 111 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Cartography salary: $62,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Albuquerque adjustment factor: 1.11x based on the local cost of living index.
Cartography ROI Calculator for Albuquerque
Estimate your return on investment for a Cartography degree using local Albuquerque tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $4,872 | Private avg: $14,580
Albuquerque avg aid: $13,246/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$74,808
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$29,970
vs HS diploma in Albuquerque
ROI Payback Period
2.5 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Albuquerque
$36,192
Lifetime earnings premium ($111,000) minus total education cost ($74,808)
Student Loan Payoff for Cartography in Albuquerque
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Albuquerque for Cartography
University of New Mexico
public
$8,064/yr
$32,256 total
National American University
private
$14,580/yr
$58,320 total
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
public
$1,680/yr
$6,720 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Central New Mexico Community College
$1,848/yr
Top Employers for Cartography in Albuquerque
Albuquerque offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cartography graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Albuquerque Hiring Sectors for STEM
Tech companies
Research labs
Government agencies
Startups
Consulting firms
Common Cartography Job Titles
Cartography in Nearby New Mexico Cities
Other STEM Majors in Albuquerque
Prompt Engineering
$56K starting · 1.5 yr ROI
Computational Linguistics
$105K starting · 2 yr ROI
Computer Science
$94K starting · 2.8 yr ROI
Software Engineering
$98K starting · 2.7 yr ROI
Data Science
$91K starting · 3 yr ROI
Astrophysics
$94K starting · 3 yr ROI
Actuarial Science
$56K starting · 3 yr ROI
Cybersecurity
$89K starting · 3 yr ROI
Methodology & Education Data Sources
How we calculate Cartography degree outcomes in Albuquerque, NM: Our salary projections, ROI estimates, and tuition data combine multiple federal datasets to provide a localized view of education economics. We use a 10-year career-trajectory model standard in higher education research.
- Tuition data sourced from IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), the federal education statistics database operated by NCES. Average tuition for Cartography programs reflects 4-year public/private weighted averages for New Mexico.
- Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Albuquerque using regional CPI data.
- 10-year ROI calculates: (Total Career Earnings With Degree) − (Total Career Earnings Without Degree) − (Total Education Cost Including Interest on Loans).
- Job market outlook for Cartography graduates uses BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook 10-year projections (2024-2034 base period).
- Default rates and loan data sourced from College Scorecard (US Department of Education), which tracks repayment outcomes by institution.
Authoritative US education data sources:
- IPEDS — Integrated Postsecondary Education Data — official federal college data
- College Scorecard (US Dept of Education) — earnings, debt, completion rates
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — Cartography career projections
- Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — official US student loan and grant info
- NCES Digest of Education Statistics — comprehensive education data
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wages — entry-level salary data for Cartography grads
Education Disclaimer: Salary and ROI estimates are projections based on national and state-level averages. Individual outcomes depend on institution prestige, GPA, internships, location, network, and economic conditions. Always verify current tuition with the institution directly, and consult a financial aid counselor before taking on student loans. Use the Federal Loan Simulator to model repayment scenarios.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk · Last updated 2026 · IPEDS & BLS data current as of latest annual release
Financial Aid Resources for Albuquerque Students
Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), New Mexico students have access to state-specific grants, scholarships, and tuition assistance programs. The 2026-27 FAFSA also added a new Low Earnings Indicator (Dec 2025) flagging programs where graduates earn less than non-college peers — check your target school's status:
Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):
State-specific grants stack with federal aid:
- • USA.gov — New Mexico programs
- • NASFAA — State Aid Programs
- • Search "new mexico higher education commission grants"
Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:
- • College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
- • NCES College Navigator
- • IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center
Free, official, scam-free scholarship databases:
2026-27 FAFSA tip: The new Low Earnings Indicator flags programs where graduates earn less than non-graduates. Check this before enrolling. Speak with a NASFAA-credentialed financial aid counselor at your target school.
Cartography Degree in Albuquerque — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Cartography ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Albuquerque.