[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
Murray State University tops our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools in Kentucky. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, with out-of-state students paying around $19,836. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Murray State University generally make around $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Western Kentucky University one of the best values for geographic information science. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,499. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,320 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,122. Geographic Information Science graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Louisville, which ranked #4. University Of Louisville is a very large public school located in the city of Louisville. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, while out-of-state students pay about $29,482. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,910 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Louisville generally make around $37,844. Set against $21,910 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 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.
