2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geography education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 23 schools to find the best return on investment for geography students.
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2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the Southeast Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
For return on investment in geography, no school beat University Of Florida this year. University Of Florida is a very large public school located in the city of Gainesville. In-state tuition and fees average $6,381, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Geography graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,856 early in their careers. Set against $18,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of South Florida Main Campus earned it the #2 place for geography. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of South Florida Main Campus generally make around $39,259. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for geography. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. Students from in state pay about $8,994 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,203. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $42,454 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of North Georgia earned it the #4 place for geography. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $21,439. Early-career geography graduates make about $43,714. Set against $21,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. 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. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Florida State University placed #6 among the best values for geography. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,707. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,598. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,133. Geography graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
Old Dominion University earned the #8 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, with out-of-state students paying around $33,780. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Geography graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Alabama ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of North Alabama earn a median of $41,076 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Kennesaw State University earned the #10 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $32,500. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $40,020. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,954. Geography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $42,210 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
West Virginia University landed the #12 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Geography graduates carry a median of $23,089 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from West Virginia University generally make around $34,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
Georgia State University earned the #13 position for value in geography this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. In-state tuition and fees average $8,664, compared with $24,840 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Georgia State University generally make around $51,103. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #14 position for value in geography this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh came in at #15 for value in geography this year. North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public school located in the city of Raleigh. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,799, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $20,868. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from North Carolina State University At Raleigh generally make around $55,320. Set against $20,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Louisville placed #16 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $37,844. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,812, compared with $33,256 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $44,553. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 42%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College landed the #18 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, while out-of-state students pay about $28,631. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,348 in student loans. Geography graduates of Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earn a median of $49,718 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,348 median debt. Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College admits about 73% of applicants.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #19 spot for geography value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, compared with $28,083 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $43,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
University Of South Carolina Columbia landed the #20 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of Columbia, University Of South Carolina Columbia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,688, with out-of-state students paying around $36,298. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $23,250. Early-career geography graduates make about $46,929. That is a strong return on a $23,250 median debt. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University came in at #21 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Harrisonburg, James Madison University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $19,800 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,094. Set against $19,800 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University placed #22 among the best values for geography. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $39,328 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $16,173 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,414 median debt. Liberty University admits about 99% of applicants.
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Notes and References
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 · 23 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
