[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.
College Factual analyzed 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
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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 Tarrant County College District the best value for a degree in geographic information science in the Southwest Region. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Students borrow a median of $15,148 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Tarrant County College District generally make around $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #2. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Juan College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Farmington, San Juan College is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Students borrow a median of $16,150 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $41,697. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #4 place for geographic information science. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Collin County Community College District, which ranked #5. Located in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,014, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $9,716 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,177. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Lone Star College System came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Northern Arizona University landed the #7 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Arizona State University landed the #8 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,096. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $48,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,197. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #10 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,250 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $58,084. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus admits about 77% of applicants.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus landed the #11 spot for geographic information science value this year. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,060. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,705. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of New Mexico Main Campus generally make around $32,096. That is a strong return on a $14,705 median debt. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #12 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,994 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $39,960. Set against $20,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University earned the #13 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Students borrow a median of $25,156 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $35,936 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona earned the #14 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,573, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $28,250. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $49,815. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #15 for value in geographic information science this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,021 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,590. That is a strong return on a $24,021 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
Texas Tech University placed #16 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #17 spot for geographic information science value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. In-state tuition and fees average $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $54,204. Set against $16,479 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 57% 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.
