[Geography And Environmental Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 29 schools to find the best return on investment for geography and environmental studies students.
Finding the Best Value Geography And Environmental Studies School for You
Where you study geography and environmental studies affects both what you pay and what you earn. To help, we created our Best Value Geography And Environmental Studies Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Geography And Environmental Studies Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the 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.
Leading the list is University Of Florida, our #1 best value for geography and environmental studies in the United States. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, compared with $28,659 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $17,669. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $58,388. That is a strong return on a $17,669 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
Students looking for strong value in geography and environmental studies will find it at University Of Florida Online, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida Online is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,876, with out-of-state students paying around $16,579. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates carry a median of $17,784 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Florida Online generally make around $43,438. Set against $17,784 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Florida Online admits about 61% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography and environmental studies, landing the #3 spot this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete the geography and environmental studies program here. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $63,833. That is a strong return on a $16,097 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Kansas City came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geography and environmental studies schools. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,371 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $32,271. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $23,741. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $60,324. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography and environmental studies, landing the #5 spot this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,481 to complete the geography and environmental studies program here. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $65,681 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,481 median debt. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of Georgia placed #6 among the best values for geography and environmental studies. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $21,792. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $53,546. That is a strong return on a $21,792 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #7 position for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $21,645. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Old Dominion University landed the #8 spot for geography and environmental studies value this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,750 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville placed #9 among the best values for geography and environmental studies. Set in the suburb of Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,092. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $23,917. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville generally make around $54,302. That is a strong return on a $23,917 median debt. Southern Illinois University Edwardsville admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Manoa earned the #10 position for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,186 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,218 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $20,577. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Hawaii At Manoa earn a median of $48,181 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,577 median debt. University Of Hawaii At Manoa admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse landed the #11 spot for geography and environmental studies value this year. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public school located in the city of La Crosse. In-state tuition and fees average $10,070, while out-of-state students pay about $19,517. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $23,551. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $49,223. Set against $23,551 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County placed #12 among the best values for geography and environmental studies. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,256, while out-of-state students pay about $31,225. Students borrow a median of $21,331 to complete the geography and environmental studies program here. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #13 for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $21,813. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio State University Main Campus landed the #14 spot for geography and environmental studies value this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,244, while out-of-state students pay about $40,022. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $22,053. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $58,088. That is a strong return on a $22,053 median debt. The acceptance rate is 61%.
Appalachian State University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value geography and environmental studies schools. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, compared with $25,212 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $21,992. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $42,340. That is a strong return on a $21,992 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Kansas came in at #16 for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Lawrence, University Of Kansas is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,102 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,432 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $23,608. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Kansas earn a median of $56,289 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Minnesota Duluth earned the #17 position for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Duluth, University Of Minnesota Duluth is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,608 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,134 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete the geography and environmental studies program here. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of $46,572 early in their careers. Set against $24,624 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geography and environmental studies schools. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, while out-of-state students pay about $24,157. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $24,271. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 73%.
South Dakota State University ranked #19 on our 2027 list of the best value geography and environmental studies schools. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,299, with out-of-state students paying around $12,809. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $24,989. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $51,260. That is a strong return on a $24,989 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
Western Washington University placed #20 among the best values for geography and environmental studies. Western Washington University is a large public school located in the city of Bellingham. In-state tuition and fees average $9,582, while out-of-state students pay about $28,707. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $20,361. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $41,118. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus landed the #21 spot for geography and environmental studies value this year. Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the town of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,158, while out-of-state students pay about $24,838. Typical student debt for geography and environmental studies graduates is $24,546. Early-career geography and environmental studies graduates make about $49,736. That is a strong return on a $24,546 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Oregon came in at #22 for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Located in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,320 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates carry a median of $22,034 in student loans. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Set against $22,034 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
The University Of Alabama earned the #23 position for value in geography and environmental studies this year. The University Of Alabama is a very large public school located in the city of Tuscaloosa. Students from in state pay about $12,180 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $34,172. Students borrow a median of $24,496 to complete the geography and environmental studies program here. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from The University Of Alabama generally make around $50,740. That is a strong return on a $24,496 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #24 among the best values for geography and environmental studies. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $60,004. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
University Of Colorado Boulder came in at #25 for value in geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,214, compared with $42,970 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,373 to complete the geography and environmental studies program here. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Colorado Boulder earn a median of $55,861 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Boulder admits about 78% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 29 Best Value Geography And Environmental Studies Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geography and environmental studies value ranking:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 29 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 29 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).
[Geography And Environmental Studies](/majors/multi-interdisciplinary-studies/geography-and-environmental-studies/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
