Geographic Information Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geographic information science programs.
College Factual analyzed 114 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best geographic information science schools.
Choosing a Great Geographic Information Science School
The geographic information science program you select can have a big impact on your future. To help, we created our Best Geographic Information Science Schools rankings. Our overall ranking combines our degree-level rankings, weighted by degrees awarded at each level.
In order to find the schools that are the best fit for you, you may want to filter to one of the degree levels below.
Geographic Information Science Rankings by Degree Level
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we have developed a number of rankings, including this Best Geographic Information Science Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Best Schools for Geographic Information Science in the United States
If you are not interested in a particular degree level and want to know which schools are the overall best at delivering an education for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Pennsylvania State University Main Campus, our #1 school for geographic information science. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 86%. About 39 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $67,164 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $23,396.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Pennsylvania State University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong geographic information science program will find one at Purdue University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of West Lafayette. Purdue University Main Campus graduates 83% of students within six years. About 30 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Purdue University Main Campus in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Purdue University Main Campus earn a median of $63,111 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete this degree.
Get the full geographic information science details for Purdue University Main Campus
Students looking for a strong geographic information science program will find one at University Of Pennsylvania, which ranked #3. Set in the city of Philadelphia, University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit institution. About 96% of students finish within six years. About 31 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Pennsylvania in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $99,682 early in their careers. University Of Pennsylvania graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans.
Get the full geographic information science details for University Of Pennsylvania
Tufts University is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. About 94% of students finish within six years. About 16 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Tufts University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Tufts University earn around $68,154 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $17,074 to complete this degree.
See the full geographic information science program report for Tufts University
University Of Connecticut is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. About 39 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Connecticut in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $58,784 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete this degree.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Connecticut
Miami University Oxford earned the #6 position for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the town of Oxford. About 80% of students finish within six years. Miami University Oxford awarded about 39 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Miami University Oxford generally make around $49,700. Typical student debt for the program is $24,177.
Get the full geographic information science details for Miami University Oxford
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #7 position for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus graduates 94% of students within six years. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus awarded about 12 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Typical student debt for the program is $24,323.
See the full geographic information science program report for Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #8 among the best geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates 83% of students within six years. About 47 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of California Santa Barbara in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $37,398. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #9 spot for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Roughly 90% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 47 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Madison in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $58,681 early in their careers. University Of Wisconsin Madison graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Wisconsin Madison
Iowa State University landed the #10 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Ames. The six-year graduation rate is 75%. About 18 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Iowa State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Iowa State University generally make around $54,204. Iowa State University graduates carry a median of $23,496 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for Iowa State University
Seattle University earned the #11 position for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, Seattle University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. Roughly 76% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 16 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Seattle University in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Seattle University earn a median of $63,214 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,289.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Seattle University
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #12 position for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. About 93% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 18 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $36,776 in their early career. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,969 in student loans.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of California Los Angeles
University Of Washington Seattle Campus came in at #13 for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. Roughly 85% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 115 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Washington Seattle Campus in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $55,232 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $17,504.
Get the full geographic information science details for University Of Washington Seattle Campus
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #14 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of College Station. The six-year graduation rate is 84%. About 76 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Texas A And M University College Station in the most recent year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Texas A And M University College Station earn a median of $54,204 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $16,479 to complete this degree.
See the full geographic information science program report for Texas A And M University College Station
George Washington University ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best geographic information science schools. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. About 84% of students finish within six years. George Washington University awarded about 17 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of George Washington University earn a median of $52,883 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete this degree.
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University Of Southern California earned the #16 position for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of Southern California is a very large private not-for-profit university. About 92% of students finish within six years. About 69 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Southern California in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Southern California generally make around $61,063. Students borrow a median of $15,625 to complete this degree.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of Southern California
Texas Tech University came in at #17 for geographic information science this year. Texas Tech University is a very large public school located in the city of Lubbock. About 69% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 11 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at Texas Tech University in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Texas Tech University earn a median of $50,332 early in their careers. Texas Tech University graduates carry a median of $24,271 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for Texas Tech University
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus placed #18 among the best geographic information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Cincinnati. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus graduates 74% of students within six years. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus awarded about 30 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $23,530.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #19 spot for geographic information science this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University awarded about 11 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn around $39,328 in the first couple years of their career. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
University Of Rhode Island placed #20 among the best geographic information science schools. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Kingston. University Of Rhode Island graduates 72% of students within six years. About 16 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of Rhode Island in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. University Of Rhode Island graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of Rhode Island
University Of Maryland College Park earned the #21 position for geographic information science this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 89%. There were roughly 62 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland College Park in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $40,913. Typical student debt for the program is $24,441.
Read more about the geographic information science program at University Of Maryland College Park
Oregon State University landed the #22 spot for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. The six-year graduation rate is 70%. About 171 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Oregon State University in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,326. Oregon State University graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Oregon State University
University Of Denver came in at #23 for geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. The six-year graduation rate is 76%. There were roughly 52 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Denver in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Denver earn a median of $58,717 early in their careers. University Of Denver graduates carry a median of $22,534 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Denver
Calvin College earned the #24 position for geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The six-year graduation rate is 74%. Calvin College awarded about 30 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Calvin College earn around $44,220 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $22,707.
Read more about the geographic information science program at Calvin College
University Of Missouri Kansas City placed #25 among the best geographic information science schools. This large public university is located in the city of Kansas City. About 54% of students finish within six years. There were roughly 15 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of Missouri Kansas City in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Missouri Kansas City generally make around $60,324. University Of Missouri Kansas City graduates carry a median of $23,741 in student loans.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of Missouri Kansas City
Rest of the Top 50 Geographic Information Science Schools
These schools also placed among the best for geographic information science this year:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on a blend of student outcomes (graduation rate, post-graduation earnings), affordability, and program focus, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 114 schools evaluated.
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).
