Geography And Environmental Studies degree programs prepare students for a range of careers in the field. While the number of schools offering the program varies, there are still top-quality ones to be found.
College Factual analyzed 29 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best geography and environmental studies schools.
Choosing a Great Geography And Environmental Studies School
The geography and environmental studies program you select can have a big impact on your future. That is why we developed our collection of Best Schools for Geography And Environmental Studies rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each 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 And Environmental Studies Rankings by Degree Level
We offer several rankings, including this Best Geography And Environmental Studies Schools list, to help you decide. 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.
Best Schools for Geography And Environmental Studies 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 and environmental studies degrees they offer, see the list below.
Top Schools in Geography And Environmental Studies
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University tops our 2027 ranking of the best geography and environmental studies schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates 86% of students within six years. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 14 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography and environmental studies program make about $60,004 in their early career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $23,393 in student loans.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Dartmouth College is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geography and environmental studies, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the town of Hanover, Dartmouth College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 96% of students complete a degree within six years here. Dartmouth College awarded about 74 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of Dartmouth College earn a median of $81,992 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,989 to complete this degree.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for Dartmouth College
Students looking for a strong geography and environmental studies program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Madison, which ranked #3. This very large public university is located in the city of Madison. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Wisconsin Madison awarded about 36 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete this degree.
Read more about the geography and environmental studies program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
University Of California Los Angeles is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography and environmental studies, ranking #4. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 22 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography and environmental studies program make about $63,833 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $16,097 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from University Of California Los Angeles
A rank of #5 makes Ohio State University Main Campus one of the top schools for geography and environmental studies. Set in the city of Columbus, Ohio State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 88%. Ohio State University Main Campus awarded about 52 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography and environmental studies degree from Ohio State University Main Campus earn around $58,088 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,053.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for Ohio State University Main Campus
University Of Minnesota Duluth landed the #6 spot for geography and environmental studies this year. This moderately-sized public university is located in the city of Duluth. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 23 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Minnesota Duluth in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography and environmental studies degree from University Of Minnesota Duluth earn around $46,572 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $24,624 to complete this degree.
Read more about the geography and environmental studies program at University Of Minnesota Duluth
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best geography and environmental studies schools. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus awarded about 55 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography and environmental studies degree from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus earn around $60,523 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,266.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
University Of Kansas came in at #8 for geography and environmental studies this year. University Of Kansas is a very large public school located in the city of Lawrence. University Of Kansas graduates 69% of students within six years. University Of Kansas awarded about 32 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Kansas generally make around $56,289. Typical student debt for the program is $23,608.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from University Of Kansas
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #9 position for geography and environmental studies this year. University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Seattle. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates 85% of students within six years. There were roughly 46 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography and environmental studies degree from University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn around $65,681 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Washington Seattle Campus graduates carry a median of $16,481 in student loans.
Get the full geography and environmental studies details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
University Of Colorado Boulder earned the #10 position for geography and environmental studies this year. Located in the city of Boulder, University Of Colorado Boulder is a very large public university. About 74% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 60 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Colorado Boulder in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography and environmental studies program make about $55,861 in their early career. University Of Colorado Boulder graduates carry a median of $20,373 in student loans.
Read more about the geography and environmental studies program at University Of Colorado Boulder
Ohio University Main Campus placed #11 among the best geography and environmental studies schools. This very large public university is located in the town of Athens. About 65% of students finish within six years. About 38 geography and environmental studies degrees were awarded at Ohio University Main Campus in the most recent year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $49,736 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,546 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from Ohio University Main Campus
University Of Wisconsin La Crosse ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best geography and environmental studies schools. Set in the city of La Crosse, University Of Wisconsin La Crosse is a large public institution. About 71% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse in the most recent data year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Wisconsin La Crosse earn a median of $49,223 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin La Crosse graduates carry a median of $23,551 in student loans.
Read more about the geography and environmental studies program at University Of Wisconsin La Crosse
University Of Florida landed the #13 spot for geography and environmental studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Gainesville. About 91% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 34 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Florida in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography and environmental studies program make about $58,388 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $17,669 to complete this degree.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for University Of Florida
Clark University placed #14 among the best geography and environmental studies schools. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. The six-year graduation rate is 77%. Clark University awarded about 28 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $43,257. Clark University graduates carry a median of $26,153 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from Clark University
South Dakota State University came in at #15 for geography and environmental studies this year. Located in the town of Brookings, South Dakota State University is a large public university. Roughly 62% of students complete a degree within six years here. South Dakota State University awarded about 14 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from South Dakota State University generally make around $51,260. Students borrow a median of $24,989 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from South Dakota State University
University Of Hawaii At Manoa landed the #16 spot for geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Honolulu, University Of Hawaii At Manoa is a very large public institution. University Of Hawaii At Manoa graduates 64% of students within six years. There were roughly 23 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Hawaii At Manoa in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Hawaii At Manoa generally make around $48,181. Students borrow a median of $20,577 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from University Of Hawaii At Manoa
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #17 among the best geography and environmental studies schools. Set in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public institution. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates 54% of students within six years. University Of Missouri Kansas City awarded about 13 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete this degree.
Get the full geography and environmental studies details for University Of Missouri Kansas City
University Of Georgia came in at #18 for geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. University Of Georgia awarded about 27 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $53,546 early in their careers. University Of Georgia graduates carry a median of $21,792 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from University Of Georgia
Western Washington University came in at #19 for geography and environmental studies this year. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. About 65% of students finish within six years. Western Washington University awarded about 48 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography and environmental studies degree from Western Washington University earn around $41,118 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $20,361 to complete this degree.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for Western Washington University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #20 position for geography and environmental studies this year. This large public university is located in the suburb of Baltimore. The six-year graduation rate is 69%. There were roughly 25 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Typical student debt for the program is $21,331.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Appalachian State University landed the #21 spot for geography and environmental studies this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Boone. About 74% of students finish within six years. Appalachian State University awarded about 56 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography and environmental studies program make about $42,340 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $21,992.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from Appalachian State University
University Of Oregon ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best geography and environmental studies schools. University Of Oregon is a very large public school located in the city of Eugene. About 72% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 27 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at University Of Oregon in the most recent data year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $44,628 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $22,034 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geography and environmental studies from University Of Oregon
Texas Tech University landed the #23 spot for geography and environmental studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Lubbock. Texas Tech University graduates 69% of students within six years. Texas Tech University awarded about 19 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography and environmental studies degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Typical student debt for the program is $24,271.
Get the full geography and environmental studies details for Texas Tech University
Northern Arizona University came in at #24 for geography and environmental studies this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Flagstaff. Northern Arizona University graduates 61% of students within six years. There were roughly 31 geography and environmental studies students who graduated with this degree at Northern Arizona University in the most recent data year. Geography And Environmental Studies graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Northern Arizona University graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans.
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Macalester College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best geography and environmental studies schools. Located in the city of Saint Paul, Macalester College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 87%. Macalester College awarded about 27 geography and environmental studies degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography and environmental studies degree from Macalester College earn around $42,517 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $22,147 to complete this degree.
See the full geography and environmental studies program report for Macalester College
Rest of the Top 29 Geography And Environmental Studies Schools
These schools also placed among the best for geography and environmental studies this year:
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 · 29 schools evaluated.
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).
