by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography students.
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.
Leading the list is Cuny Hunter College, our #1 best value for geography in the United States. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,382, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,091. Early-career geography graduates make about $51,372. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. Cuny Hunter College admits about 54% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for geography. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $27,002 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at California State University Long Beach, which ranked #3. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Students from in state pay about $7,374 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $73,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Marshall University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.
Portland State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $67,045. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $13,969. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #7 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,707. Geography graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $53,587 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Colorado Denver placed #8 among the best values for geography. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,468. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $39,104. That is a strong return on a $22,468 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University placed #9 among the best values for geography. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Geography graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #10 spot for geography value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, with out-of-state students paying around $21,328. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $38,648. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Western Illinois University landed the #11 spot for geography value this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,572. Geography graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Geography graduates of Western Illinois University earn a median of $47,926 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University came in at #12 for value in geography this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Students borrow a median of $24,096 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,326 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,096 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
West Virginia University came in at #13 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Geography graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Geography graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,435 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #14 for value in geography this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Madison generally make around $59,877. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Northwest Missouri State University came in at #15 for value in geography this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $23,585 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.
Suny At Albany ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. Students from in state pay about $10,601 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,521. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,736. That is a strong return on a $23,521 median debt. Suny At Albany admits about 69% of applicants.
University Of Arizona landed the #17 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $28,250. Geography graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $56,801 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
Oregon State University earned the #18 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Students borrow a median of $24,041 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #19 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,062 in student loans. Geography graduates of Pennsylvania State University World Campus earn a median of $88,086 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
University At Buffalo placed #20 among the best values for geography. University At Buffalo is a very large public school located in the suburb of Buffalo. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $31,536. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $24,255. Geography graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $29,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 74%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,195 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,195 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #22 spot for geography value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,174. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $52,615. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Binghamton landed the #23 spot for geography value this year. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, while out-of-state students pay about $30,447. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,596 in student loans. Geography graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $51,766 early in their careers. Set against $20,596 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 39%.
Arizona State University Skysong landed the #24 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Scottsdale, Arizona State University Skysong is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,627, compared with $13,925 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $24,096. Early-career geography graduates make about $55,326. Set against $24,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 67%.
Calvin College ranked #25 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $39,350. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,707. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. Set against $22,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geography value ranking:
Explore the best-value geography schools at other degree levels:
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 30 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 30 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.