[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 18 schools to find the best return on investment for geographic information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Columbus State Community College earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Columbus State Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Columbus. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,488, with out-of-state students paying around $11,224. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Graduates go on to earn a median of $39,435 ten years after entry. That is a strong return on a $9,041 median debt.
A rank of #2 makes Harper College one of the best values for geographic information science. Located in the suburb of Palatine, Harper College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,894, with out-of-state students paying around $11,874. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Harper College generally make around $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. In-state tuition and fees average $9,992, compared with $28,794 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,844. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Purdue University Main Campus generally make around $63,111. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 50%.
A rank of #4 makes Northern Michigan University one of the best values for geographic information science. Located in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Students borrow a median of $22,608 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Michigan University admits about 84% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,000. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $42,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
Wright State University Main Campus placed #7 among the best values for geographic information science. Wright State University Main Campus is a large public school located in the suburb of Dayton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,991, with out-of-state students paying around $20,691. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,836 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Wright State University Main Campus generally make around $49,077. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. Students from in state pay about $16,990 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $17,425 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $41,103. Set against $17,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #9 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 83%.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,212 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,048 early in their careers. Set against $21,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #11 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $58,681 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Michigan State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, while out-of-state students pay about $44,850. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $54,166. That is a strong return on a $25,213 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent earned the #13 position for value in geographic information science this year. Kent State University At Kent is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kent. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $21,575. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $42,015. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Ohio University Main Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, compared with $24,838 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $33,199 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Calvin College landed the #15 spot for geographic information science value this year. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. Students from in state pay about $39,350 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,707. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford came in at #17 for value in geographic information science this year. Miami University Oxford is a very large public school located in the town of Oxford. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,519, compared with $38,965 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,700. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #18 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $45,405. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $47,464. That is a strong return on a $23,412 median debt. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
