Geography 97.5%
of Valpo’s College of Arts and Sciences graduates are employed or enrolled in graduate school within nine months of graduation.
$97,200
median salary of geographers* * According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024 report.
Geography gives you the tools to understand our complex world and solve its most pressing challenges. In Valparaiso University’s geography program, you’ll discover how human activity transforms the Earth and how environments influence the lives of people and communities. Valpo’s bachelor of arts in geography offers the flexibility to match your interests and career goals. Through fieldwork, geospatial technologies,
C A R E E R P AT H S
and better understand the relationships between people, places,
With a geography degree from Valpo, you’ll be prepared for a wide range of impactful careers, including:
and environments. You can specialize in areas like earth systems,
•C artographer
sustainability, or urban planning, or build a broader interdisciplinary
•E nvironmental Resource Manager
foundation through coursework in physical geography, human geography,
•G eospatial Market Researcher
and geospatial technologies. Geography also pairs well with majors like
•G IS Technician
biology, history, and environmental science, helping you expand your
•P ark Ranger
perspective and build versatile, career-ready skills.
•S ustainability Manager
and systems thinking, you’ll learn to analyze patterns, interpret data,
•T ravel and Tourism Professional
With a foundation that spans science, policy, technology, and human behavior, you’ll graduate prepared for careers in sustainability, planning, research, environmental management, and more — or ready to go on to graduate studies.
•U rban Planner
Visit valpo.edu/alumni-success to learn more.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING Geography is best learned by doing, and at Valpo, that means getting out into the world. With Valpo’s proximity to Chicago and the distinct landscapes of Indiana Dunes National Park and Lake Michigan, you might find yourself wading through rivers, analyzing soil samples, flying drones to track environmental change, or exploring the dynamics of Chicago’s neighborhoods. You’ll also have opportunities to intern with organizations like the National Park Service, city planning departments, and conservation groups, or study abroad to expand your global perspective. By the time you graduate, you won’t just understand the world around you — you’ll have worked in it.
“One of the cool things about being at Valparaiso University is that you’re able to do undergraduate research, which isn’t common at many colleges because they usually save that for graduate students. Within a lot of the science disciplines, it’s really good to get research under your belt.” J A C K C O LW E L L ’ 2 5 Majors: Geography and Environmental Science
EXPERT MENTORSHIP At Valpo, you’ll work closely with professors who are active scholars and dedicated mentors invested in your success. Through small classes and personalized advising, professors guide you as you build expertise, explore your areas of interest, and prepare for a career or graduate study.
Be a Beacon Valparaiso University admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation, or religion. (For a full statement, see valpo.edu.)
V V V V V
You’ll also have opportunities to collaborate on research with your professors or pursue your own original projects, gaining valuable experience early in your academic journey. Beyond campus, Valpo’s engaged alumni network connects you with professionals who offer insight, mentorship, and pathways into the field.
SCHOL ARSHIPS AND AWARDS For more information on financial aid, visit valpo.edu/aid.
Take the next step toward your bright future by visiting valpo.edu/geography, or by scanning the QR code.
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, IN 46383 web: valpo.edu email: undergrad.admission@valpo.edu