[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 4 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.
Salem State University earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in Massachusetts. Salem State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Salem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,338, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $32,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,666. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Clark University, which ranked #3. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Medford. In-state tuition and fees average $70,704. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $68,154. That is a strong return on a $17,074 median debt. Tufts University admits about 12% 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), 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 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.
