[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geographic information science students.
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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 San Diego Mesa College this year. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of San Diego Mesa College earn a median of $29,852 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Pasadena City College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete the geographic information science program here. 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.
American River College came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palomar College earned it the #4 place for geographic information science. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
A rank of #5 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $27,002. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
Foothill College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,595 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,332. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Long Beach ranked #8 on our 2026 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. 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.
San Francisco State University came in at #9 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,846 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $24,875. Set against $13,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #10 for value in geographic information science this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $37,398. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. Roughly 33% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles landed the #11 spot for geographic information science value this year. 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. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,969 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $36,776. That is a strong return on a $13,969 median debt. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Humboldt State University landed the #12 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $17,412. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $27,355. Set against $17,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of California Davis ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, with out-of-state students paying around $47,692. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $53,749. That is a strong return on a $14,404 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #14 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $38,648. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Columbia College Sonora placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the rural area of Sonora, Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,282, with out-of-state students paying around $9,264. Students borrow a median of $13,293 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Columbia College Sonora earn a median of $103,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Southern California ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $71,647. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Southern California earn a median of $61,063 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 10%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 40 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
