[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 26 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,692 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Murray State University earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,677. Geographic Information Science graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Georgia came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,439. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. 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%.
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $44,598 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University earned the #8 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Bowling Green, Western Kentucky University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,499. Geographic Information Science graduates of Western Kentucky University earn a median of $44,778 early in their careers. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Memphis landed the #9 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,315 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Memphis earn a median of $48,890 early in their careers. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University landed the #10 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Students borrow a median of $25,122 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Georgia ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,133 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $26,801. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Delta State University landed the #13 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Delta State University admits about 100% of applicants.
Old Dominion University landed the #14 spot for geographic information science value this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $57,131. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #16 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $23,954 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $42,210. That is a strong return on a $23,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Kennesaw State University landed the #17 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,808, while out-of-state students pay about $17,736. Students borrow a median of $32,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
West Virginia University ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia State University came in at #19 for value in geographic information science this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #20 position for value in geographic information science this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,000. Geographic Information Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Louisville landed the #21 spot for geographic information science value this year. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $37,844 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #22 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of The University Of Tennessee earn a median of $44,553 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,348 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College generally make around $49,718. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Mary Washington ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $43,243. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #25 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $20,500. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $39,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geographic information science value ranking:
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 26 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 26 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.
