2027 Best Value Geography Schools
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 126 schools to find the best return on investment for geography students.
What’s on this page:
Finding the Best Value Geography School for You
The geography program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Geography Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Learn more about our methodology
Customize Your Rankings
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Geography Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
Want to compare schools head to head? Try our College Combat tool to weigh the factors that matter most to you.
Read more about College Factual’s methodology
2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geography Schools
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for geography in the United States. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $18,600. Geography graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,856 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for geography. Set in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Roughly 54% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Geography graduates carry a median of $14,430 in student loans. Geography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Los Angeles admits about 91% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #4 place for geography. Located in the city of Santa Monica, Santa Monica College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Geography graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Geography graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah Valley University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $51,242. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Northridge ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton placed #8 among the best values for geography. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Students borrow a median of $15,525 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,040. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento landed the #9 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,881 in student loans. Geography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
Austin Community College District ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,519. Geography graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College placed #11 among the best values for geography. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #12 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Walnut, Mt San Antonio College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $9,384 in student loans. Geography graduates of Mt San Antonio College earn a median of $44,391 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,384 median debt.
Fullerton College placed #13 among the best values for geography. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Students from in state pay about $1,151 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,379. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Central New Mexico Community College placed #14 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College came in at #15 for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College came in at #16 for value in geography this year. Located in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,312, while out-of-state students pay about $10,320. Geography graduates carry a median of $9,205 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Diablo Valley College generally make around $27,813. Set against $9,205 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #17 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $100,031. That is a strong return on a $10,332 median debt.
California State University Long Beach came in at #18 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $52,865. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of South Florida Main Campus ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $39,259. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
Montgomery College came in at #20 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $11,230 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
University Of North Georgia earned the #21 position for value in geography this year. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
Marshall University placed #22 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $42,454 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #24 for value in geography this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $13,969 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geography Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geography this year:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 126 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 126 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.
