2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

[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 17 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geography schools.
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2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geography Schools
Our analysis ranked Cuny Hunter College the best value for a degree in geography in the Middle Atlantic Region. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,382 in tuition and fees, compared with $15,332 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,091. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Cuny Hunter College generally make around $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
A rank of #2 makes Montgomery College one of the best values for geography. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, with out-of-state students paying around $14,250. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,230. Geography graduates of Montgomery College earn a median of $24,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Maryland Baltimore County one of the best values for geography. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Maryland Baltimore County generally make around $49,179. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny At Albany earned it the #4 place for geography. Suny At Albany is a very large public school located in the city of Albany. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, with out-of-state students paying around $30,991. Geography graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 69%.
A rank of #5 makes Towson University one of the best values for geography. Located in the city of Towson, Towson University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, compared with $29,820 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $11,000. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Towson University generally make around $50,370. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Salisbury University landed the #6 spot for geography value this year. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,084, with out-of-state students paying around $22,174. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Geography graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $25,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #7 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 $73,575 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 #8 among the best values for geography. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. 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. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $29,390. That is a strong return on a $24,255 median debt. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.
Suny At Binghamton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the suburb of Vestal, Suny At Binghamton is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $10,567, compared with $30,447 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,596 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $51,766. That is a strong return on a $20,596 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania placed #10 among the best values for geography. Set in the town of Kutztown, Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,206 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,330. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,867. Geography graduates of Kutztown University Of Pennsylvania earn a median of $39,028 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Rowan University placed #11 among the best values for geography. Rowan University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Glassboro. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,574, compared with $26,932 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $44,380. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.
Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,570, compared with $15,824 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,750. Early-career geography graduates make about $38,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania admits about 86% of applicants.
Temple University placed #13 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $23,005 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,805 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,259 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $48,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Pittsburgh, University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, while out-of-state students pay about $41,430. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus earn a median of $56,926 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.
Pennsylvania State University Main Campus came in at #15 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Students borrow a median of $23,396 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Pennsylvania State University Main Campus generally make around $60,523. That is a strong return on a $23,396 median debt. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.
George Washington University ranked #16 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $52,883. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 47% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University placed #17 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Geography graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $54,785. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
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 · 17 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 17 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.