[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 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.
University Of North Georgia tops our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools in Georgia. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,439. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of North Georgia earn a median of $43,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
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. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,323 median debt. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Georgia, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,133. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Kennesaw State University one of the best values for geographic information science. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $40,020. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Georgia State University, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. Set against $26,091 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 55% 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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
