Geographic Information Science programs are offered at a focused set of schools across the country. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 40 schools to find the best for geographic information science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geographic information science education in California.
Our analysis ranked University Of California Davis the best school in the country for a degree in geographic information science. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Davis. University Of California Davis graduates 86% of students within six years. About 16 geographic information science degrees were awarded at University Of California Davis in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $53,749 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from University Of California Davis
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The six-year graduation rate is 83%. University Of California Santa Barbara awarded about 45 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $37,398. University Of California Santa Barbara graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for University Of California Santa Barbara
University Of Southern California is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geographic information science, ranking #3. This very large private not-for-profit university is located in the city of Los Angeles. The six-year graduation rate is 92%. University Of Southern California awarded about 61 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from University Of Southern California earn around $61,063 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $15,625.
Get the full geographic information science details for University Of Southern California
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. This very large public university is located in the city of Los Angeles. Roughly 93% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 17 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at University Of California Los Angeles in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. University Of California Los Angeles graduates carry a median of $13,969 in student loans.
Get the full geographic information science details for University Of California Los Angeles
California State University Long Beach is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geographic information science, ranking #5. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. About 69% of students finish within six years. About 26 geographic information science degrees were awarded at California State University Long Beach in the most recent year. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $52,865. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete this degree.
Get the full geographic information science details for California State University Long Beach
American River College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best geographic information science schools. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. About 10 geographic information science degrees were awarded at American River College in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $76,077 in their early career. Students borrow a median of $14,105 to complete this degree.
See the full geographic information science program report for American River College
Foothill College landed the #7 spot for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. Foothill College awarded about 33 geographic information science degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Foothill College earn around $94,152 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Foothill College
Pasadena City College placed #8 among the best geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. There were roughly 27 geographic information science students who graduated with this degree at Pasadena City College in the most recent data year. Geographic Information Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $9,191 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Pasadena City College
Palomar College came in at #9 for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the suburb of San Marcos. About 27 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Palomar College in the most recent year.
See the full geographic information science program report for Palomar College
City College Of San Francisco came in at #10 for geographic information science this year. This very large public university is located in the city of San Francisco. About 24 geographic information science degrees were awarded at City College Of San Francisco in the most recent year. Graduates of the geographic information science program make about $100,031 in their early career. City College Of San Francisco graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans.
See the full geographic information science program report for City College Of San Francisco
Columbia College Sonora placed #11 among the best geographic information science schools. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. About 19 geographic information science degrees were awarded at Columbia College Sonora in the most recent year. Students who receive their geographic information science degree from Columbia College Sonora earn around $103,727 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $13,293 to complete this degree.
More information about a degree in geographic information science from Columbia College Sonora
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 40 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
