[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 36 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.
Cuny Hunter College earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,091 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. Set against $11,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Northridge one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $8,250. Geographic Information Science graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $27,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Long Beach earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $15,000. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $73,531. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $83,560. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. The acceptance rate is 14%.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #5. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,250. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $52,481. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The University Of West Florida came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #7 position for value in geographic information science this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $13,969. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Portland State University earned the #8 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $67,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,707 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $53,587 early in their careers. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Colorado Denver came in at #10 for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,468. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $39,104. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Delta State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,605. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Delta State University earn a median of $41,580 early in their careers. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Western Illinois University came in at #13 for value in geographic information science this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #14 spot for geographic information science value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $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. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Students borrow a median of $24,096 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $55,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. In-state tuition and fees average $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,441 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $40,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,441 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University earned the #17 position for value in geographic information science this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $23,089. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,435. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $74,365. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #19 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,585 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Suny At Albany placed #20 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $30,991. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $23,521. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $56,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oregon State University landed the #22 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,041. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $51,326. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus placed #23 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,356. Students borrow a median of $26,062 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $88,086 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,062 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Unity College placed #24 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
University At Buffalo came in at #25 for value in geographic information science this year. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,255. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $29,390. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geographic information science:
Explore the best-value geographic information science schools at other degree levels:
View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 36 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 36 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.
