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2027 Best Geography & Cartography Schools

169 Colleges in the United States
5,757 Geography & Cartography Degrees Awarded
$45,755 Avg Early-Career Salary

Geography & Cartography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geography & cartography programs.

For its 2027 ranking, College Factual looked at 169 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geography & cartography students pursuing a degree.

What’s on this page:

Choosing a Great Geography & Cartography School

Best Geography & Cartography Schools

The school you choose for geography & cartography can shape your career. That is why we built our Best Geography & Cartography Schools rankings. For our Best Overall Geography & Cartography School ranking, we roll up the results of our degree-level rankings, weighted by the number of degrees awarded at that level.

In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.

Geography & Cartography Rankings by Degree Level

Associate's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
Bachelor's Degrees in Geography & Cartography
Master's Degrees in Geography & Cartography

We offer several rankings, including this Best Geography & Cartography Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

See how we build our rankings

Best Schools for Geography & Cartography in the United States

If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geography & cartography degrees they offer, see the list below.

Top Schools in Geography & Cartography

1

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus tops our 2027 ranking of the best geography & cartography schools. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of University Park. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 39 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn a median of $67,164 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,396 to complete this degree. Get the full geography & cartography details for Pennsylvania State University Main Campus

2
Purdue University Main Campus crest
Purdue University Main Campus
West Lafayette, IN

Students looking for a strong geography & cartography program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public university. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 30 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree. See the full geography & cartography program report for Purdue University Main Campus

3
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

A rank of #3 makes University Of Pennsylvania one of the top schools for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 36 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. Typical student debt for the program is $16,155. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University Of Pennsylvania

4
University Of Florida crest
University Of Florida
Gainesville, FL

Students looking for a strong geography & cartography program will find one at University Of Florida, which ranked #4. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 103 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $43,856 in their early career. University Of Florida graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University Of Florida

5
Tufts University crest
Tufts University
Medford, MA

Students looking for a strong geography & cartography program will find one at Tufts University, which ranked #5. This large private not-for-profit university is located in the suburb of Medford. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 16 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,074. See the full geography & cartography program report for Tufts University

6

University Of Connecticut earned the #6 position for geography & cartography this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. About 83% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 40 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Connecticut in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $58,784 in their early career. University Of Connecticut graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Get the full geography & cartography details for University Of Connecticut

7

Miami University Oxford came in at #7 for geography & cartography this year. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Roughly 80% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 39 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Miami University Oxford in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Miami University Oxford earn around $49,700 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177. Get the full geography & cartography details for Miami University Oxford

8

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #8 position for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Atlanta. The six-year graduation rate is 94%. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 12 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $83,560 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus

9

University Of California Santa Barbara ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best geography & cartography schools. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. About 83% of students finish within six years. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 79 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from University Of California Santa Barbara earn around $37,398 in the first couple years of their career. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for University Of California Santa Barbara

10

University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #10 position for geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. About 90% of students finish within six years. About 53 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent year. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $58,681 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of Wisconsin Madison

11

Iowa State University came in at #11 for geography & cartography this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. Roughly 75% of students complete a degree within six years here. Iowa State University awarded about 18 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of Iowa State University earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for Iowa State University

12
Seattle University crest
Seattle University
Seattle, WA

Seattle University came in at #12 for geography & cartography this year. This moderately-sized private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Seattle. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. Seattle University awarded about 16 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Seattle University generally make around $63,214. Seattle University graduates carry a median of $22,289 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for Seattle University

13

University Of California Los Angeles came in at #13 for geography & cartography this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 93%. About 74 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $36,776 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $13,969. Get the full geography & cartography details for University Of California Los Angeles

14

University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. About 115 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $55,232 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,504 to complete this degree. Get the full geography & cartography details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus

15
Duke University crest
Duke University
Durham, NC

Duke University came in at #15 for geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Durham, Duke University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 97% of students finish within six years. About 41 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Duke University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Duke University generally make around $63,356. Students borrow a median of $13,296 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Duke University

16

Texas A And M University College Station ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 104 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $54,204 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $16,479. See the full geography & cartography program report for Texas A And M University College Station

17

George Washington University placed #17 among the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 84% of students finish within six years. About 32 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at George Washington University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from George Washington University earn around $52,883 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from George Washington University

18

California State University Sacramento earned the #18 position for geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. About 56% of students finish within six years. California State University Sacramento awarded about 28 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete this degree. See the full geography & cartography program report for California State University Sacramento

19

University Of Southern California earned the #19 position for geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. University Of Southern California graduates 92% of students within six years. About 69 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $61,063 early in their careers. University Of Southern California graduates carry a median of $15,625 in student loans. See the full geography & cartography program report for University Of Southern California

20

Texas Tech University landed the #20 spot for geography & cartography this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 11 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at Texas Tech University

21

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #21 among the best geography & cartography schools. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. There were roughly 30 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus

22

San Diego State University ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. About 41 geography & cartography degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from San Diego State University earn around $38,648 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $14,999. See the full geography & cartography program report for San Diego State University

23

Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. About 86% of students finish within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 51 geography & cartography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $39,328 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $20,500. See the full geography & cartography program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University

24

University Of Rhode Island landed the #24 spot for geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public university. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. There were roughly 16 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography & cartography program make about $52,821 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete this degree. Read more about the geography & cartography program at University Of Rhode Island

25

University Of Maryland College Park placed #25 among the best geography & cartography schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of College Park. University Of Maryland College Park graduates 89% of students within six years. There were roughly 62 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography & cartography degree from University Of Maryland College Park earn around $40,913 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,441 to complete this degree. More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University Of Maryland College Park

Rest of the Top 50 Geography & Cartography Schools

These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geography & cartography ranking:

26
27
28
James Madison University crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
29
30
31
32
Calvin College crest
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI
33
34
35
Sonoma State University crest
Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA
36
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
47
Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
48
49
50
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Honorable Mentions

A few more geography & cartography schools worth a look:

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Geography & Cartography by Region

Explore the best geography & cartography schools by region.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Great Lakes
Outlying Areas

View All Rankings >

Explore other rankings in majors related to Geography & Cartography. Browse the parent area of study.

Major Annual Graduates
Geographic Information Science and Cartography 3,390
Geography 2,116
Geography, Other 251

View All Geography & Cartography Concentrations >

Notes and References

The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 169 schools evaluated.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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