by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 8 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geography schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Santa Monica College tops our 2027 list of the best value geography schools in the United States. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #2. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $9,191. Early-career geography graduates make about $38,841. That is a strong return on a $9,191 median debt.
Foothill College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #4 spot this year. 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. Geography graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Central New Mexico Community College generally make around $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Fullerton College earned it the #5 place for geography. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Sierra College landed the #6 spot for geography value this year. Set in the suburb of Rocklin, Sierra College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,446. Geography graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Sierra College generally make around $29,214. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Austin Community College District landed the #7 spot for geography value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College landed the #8 spot for geography value this year. Salt Lake Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Geography graduates carry a median of $10,855 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Salt Lake Community College generally make around $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
Explore the best-value geography schools at other degree levels:
This list is compiled 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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.