[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in Washington. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $13,168 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,404 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,151 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $67,975. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Green River Community College came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Eastern Washington University, which ranked #3. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,586 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. That is a strong return on a $21,754 median debt. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Washington Seattle Campus, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,504 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $55,232 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Washington University earned it the #5 place for geographic information science. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,500. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $32,081. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The Evergreen State College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Olympia, The Evergreen State College is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,264, while out-of-state students pay about $31,905. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,850 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from The Evergreen State College generally make around $26,942. Set against $21,850 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The Evergreen State College admits about 96% of applicants.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
