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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 4 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Utah Valley University earned the #1 spot for value among geography schools in Utah. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Geography graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,426, with out-of-state students paying around $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $42,031. That is a strong return on a $10,855 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #3 place for geography. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Brigham Young University Provo, which ranked #4. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,688. Geography graduates carry a median of $10,360 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The ranking above is published 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 4 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.