[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geographic information science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 138 schools to find the best return on investment for geographic information science students.
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The geographic information science program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we developed our Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Read more about our methodology
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in geographic information science, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
Santa Monica College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, compared with $10,708 for out-of-state students. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
A rank of #3 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for geographic information science. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Utah Valley University earned it the #4 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $8,250. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Tarrant County College District placed #6 among the best values for geographic information science. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. Students from in state pay about $1,863 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,148 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,519. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,112. Geographic Information Science graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College came in at #9 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Foothill College came in at #10 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #11 for value in geographic information science this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. That is a strong return on a $13,287 median debt. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University landed the #12 spot for geographic information science value this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $42,833. Set against $19,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
Diablo Valley College ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,312, compared with $10,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $9,205. Geographic Information Science graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
San Juan College landed the #14 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, while out-of-state students pay about $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #15 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $12,733. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
College Of Southern Idaho placed #16 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
City College Of San Francisco earned the #17 position for value in geographic information science this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,332. Geographic Information Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $15,000. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $52,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #19 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,058, while out-of-state students pay about $34,484. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Murray State University landed the #20 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Marshall University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $52,481. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida earned the #22 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of North Georgia came in at #23 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Collin County Community College District landed the #24 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,716 median debt.
Columbus State Community College placed #25 among the best values for geographic information science. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Set against $9,041 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geographic information science value ranking:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 138 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 138 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
