What is the starting salary for Cartography graduates in Philadelphia?

The estimated starting salary for Cartography graduates in Philadelphia, PA is $93,000 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 150. The national average starting salary for this major is $62,000. Salaries in Philadelphia are 50% higher than the national average due to cost of living differences.

Is a Cartography degree worth it in Philadelphia?

A Cartography degree in Philadelphia has an estimated ROI payback period of 3.8 years, with a projected lifetime return of $-2,660 after subtracting education costs. With 42 colleges in the area and average public tuition of $18,526/year, Philadelphia offers competitive options for this degree. The local unemployment rate of 4.5% and the major's national unemployment rate of 3% should also factor into your decision.

How much does it cost to study Cartography in Philadelphia?

The average annual public university tuition in Philadelphia is $18,526, while private universities average $59,845/year. Including room and board ($19,639/year), total 4-year costs range from $152,660 at a public school to $317,936 at a private institution. Average financial aid per student in Philadelphia is $10,866/year.

What jobs can Cartography graduates get in Philadelphia?

Cartography graduates in Philadelphia can pursue careers as Cartographer, GIS Analyst, Geospatial Engineer. Key skills valued by local employers include GIS, Remote Sensing, Data Visualization, Spatial Analysis. The Philadelphia job market features Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies among the top hiring sectors for this field. National top employers include USGS, Esri, Google.

How long to pay off student loans for Cartography in Philadelphia?

With a standard 10-year repayment plan at 6.5% interest, Cartography graduates in Philadelphia would pay $1,733/month on an estimated $152,660 in loans, with $55,351 in total interest. An aggressive 5-year plan would require $2,987/month but save $28,793 in interest. With a COL-adjusted starting salary of $93,000, monthly payments would represent 22% of gross monthly income.

Cartography Degree in Philadelphia, PA — Salary & ROI 2026

Cartography degree analysis for Philadelphia, PA. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$93K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$132K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

3.8 yrs

in Philadelphia

Cost of Living

150

index (100 = avg)

Cartography in Philadelphia, PA Overview

Philadelphia is one of Pennsylvania's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 116,806. Public tuition averages $18,526/year here — near the national average for public universities. Cartography has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for GIS and Remote Sensing skills. The adjusted starting salary in Philadelphia is approximately $93,000.

Cartography Salary in Philadelphia (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Philadelphia's cost of living index of 150 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$93,000(+$31,000 vs national)

Mid Career (5-9 yrs)

$132,000(+$44,000 vs national)

Senior Level (15+ yrs)

$172,500(+$57,500 vs national)

Note: National average Cartography salary: $62,000 starting, $88,000 mid-career, $115,000 senior level.Philadelphia adjustment factor: 1.50x based on the local cost of living index.

Cartography ROI Calculator for Philadelphia

Estimate your return on investment for a Cartography degree using local Philadelphia tuition and cost of living data.

Annual Tuition ($)

Public avg: $18,526 | Private avg: $59,845

Years of Study

Annual Financial Aid ($)

Philadelphia avg aid: $10,866/yr

Student Loan Rate (%)

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$152,660

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$40,500

vs HS diploma in Philadelphia

ROI Payback Period

3.8 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Philadelphia

$-2,660

Lifetime earnings premium ($150,000) minus total education cost ($152,660)

Student Loan Payoff for Cartography in Philadelphia

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$152,660

Monthly Payment$1,733

Total Interest$55,351

% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$152,660

Monthly Payment$2,987

Total Interest$26,558

Interest Savings$28,793

Colleges in Philadelphia for Cartography

University of Pennsylvania

private

$63,452/yr

$253,808 total

Temple University

public

$18,526/yr

$74,104 total

Drexel University

private

$56,238/yr

$224,952 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Community College of Philadelphia

$6,378/yr

Top Employers for Cartography in Philadelphia

Philadelphia offers opportunities in Tech companies, Research labs, Government agencies for Cartography graduates. National top employers in this field include:

USGSEsriGoogleNGA

Key Philadelphia Hiring Sectors for STEM

Tech companies

Research labs

Government agencies

Startups

Consulting firms

Common Cartography Job Titles

CartographerGIS AnalystGeospatial Engineer

Cartography in Nearby Pennsylvania Cities

Pittsburgh, PA

$71K starting · COL 115

12 colleges

Allentown, PA

$70K starting · COL 113

5 colleges

Reading, PA

$73K starting · COL 118

3 colleges

Erie, PA

$74K starting · COL 120

4 colleges

Upper Darby, PA

$59K starting · COL 94.5

4 colleges

Scranton, PA

$74K starting · COL 120

8 colleges

Bethlehem, PA

$78K starting · COL 125

7 colleges

Lower Merion, PA

$57K starting · COL 91.4

3 colleges

Other STEM Majors in Philadelphia

Prompt Engineering

$75K starting · 1.5 yr ROI

Computational Linguistics

$143K starting · 2 yr ROI

Computer Science

$128K starting · 2.8 yr ROI

Software Engineering

$132K starting · 2.7 yr ROI

Data Science

$123K starting · 3 yr ROI

Astrophysics

$128K starting · 3 yr ROI

Actuarial Science

$75K starting · 3 yr ROI

Cybersecurity

$120K starting · 3 yr ROI

Methodology & Education Data Sources

How we calculate Cartography degree outcomes in Philadelphia, PA: 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 Pennsylvania.
Career salary projections based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, with cost-of-living adjustments for Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Students

Beyond federal aid (FAFSA), Pennsylvania 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:

📋 Federal Aid (FAFSA)

Pell Grant up to $7,395/yr (2026-27). Subsidized loans at 6.53% (academic year 25-26):

🏛️ State Grants (Pennsylvania)

State-specific grants stack with federal aid:

• USA.gov — Pennsylvania programs
• NASFAA — State Aid Programs
• Search "pennsylvania higher education commission grants"

🎓 College Outcomes Data

Verify earnings + debt before enrolling:

• College Scorecard — earnings, debt, completion
• NCES College Navigator
• IPEDS Net Price Calculator Center

💰 Scholarship Search

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 Philadelphia — 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 Philadelphia.

Cartography Overview Colleges in Philadelphia All Majors