[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geographic information science education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 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.
Our analysis ranked Utah Valley University the best value for a degree in geographic information science in Utah. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,426 in tuition and fees, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Weber State University, which ranked #3. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, with out-of-state students paying around $24,993. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $65,286. Set against $16,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,688. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $10,360 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $40,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,360 median debt. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Utah landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,373 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Set against $12,373 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
