[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 17 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.
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for geographic information science in the Rocky Mountains Region. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $16,478. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the town of Rexburg. Students from in state pay about $4,800 in tuition and fees. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,287 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Idaho generally make around $43,853. Set against $13,287 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Southern Idaho earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Students borrow a median of $11,175 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. That is a strong return on a $11,175 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at College Of Western Idaho, which ranked #4. Located in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,446, compared with $7,454 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $12,497. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $40,963.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Salt Lake Community College, which ranked #5. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,855. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Weber State University landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,468 in student loans. 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.
Front Range Community College landed the #8 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,354 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Set against $20,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of Wyoming placed #9 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $20,283. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Wyoming generally make around $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Idaho earned the #10 position for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,084, compared with $28,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,250. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $43,246. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Idaho admits about 76% of applicants.
Utah State University placed #11 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,191 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $65,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,360. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $40,051. That is a strong return on a $10,360 median debt. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Utah came in at #13 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, with out-of-state students paying around $30,860. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $12,373. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $41,052. That is a strong return on a $12,373 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
The University Of Montana landed the #14 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,552, with out-of-state students paying around $33,671. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,342. Geographic Information Science graduates of The University Of Montana earn a median of $42,654 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,342 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,958, while out-of-state students pay about $21,526. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $18,888 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of Northern Colorado earned the #16 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,901 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $23,974. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $36,996. That is a strong return on a $23,974 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of Denver placed #17 among the best values for geographic information science. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,398. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,534. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Denver generally make around $58,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.
