[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 9 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Our analysis ranked Lane Community College the best value for a degree in geographic information science in Oregon. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,202, while out-of-state students pay about $13,078. Students borrow a median of $18,373 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Portland Community College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of Portland, Portland Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,220, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,644. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Portland Community College generally make around $38,714. That is a strong return on a $21,644 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Portland State University earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $26,500. Geographic Information Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $51,188 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Oregon State University, which ranked #4. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,400, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,043. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $51,000. That is a strong return on a $24,043 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Oregon one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,320, compared with $42,516 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,775 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Oregon earn a median of $45,030 early in their careers. Set against $22,775 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
