[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.
College Factual analyzed 9 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Leading the list is Southeast Community College Area, our #1 best value for geographic information science in the The Plains States Region. Located in the city of Lincoln, Southeast Community College Area is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,444, compared with $4,032 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,935 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,877. Set against $14,935 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Missouri Kansas City earned it the #2 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Missouri Kansas City earn a median of $60,324 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. University Of Missouri Kansas City admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Bemidji State University earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Bemidji State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Bemidji. In-state tuition and fees average $10,237. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,819 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Bemidji State University earn a median of $48,984 early in their careers. Set against $25,819 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Bemidji State University admits about 56% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Minnesota Twin Cities, which ranked #4. University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public school located in the city of Minneapolis. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $38,019. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Northwest Missouri State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Iowa State University earned the #6 position for value in geographic information science this year. Iowa State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ames. In-state tuition and fees average $10,787, with out-of-state students paying around $28,881. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $23,496 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Minnesota State University Mankato ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,942 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,260 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Minnesota State University Mankato generally make around $45,482. That is a strong return on a $25,260 median debt. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Park University placed #8 among the best values for geographic information science. Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the suburb of Parkville. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Park University generally make around $58,786. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Iowa landed the #9 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,283 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $23,904. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $45,566. Set against $23,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 84%.
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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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
