2026 Best Value Geography Schools in Texas
[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 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 11 schools to find the best return on investment for geography students.
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2026 Best Value Geography Schools in Texas
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among geography schools in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,519. Geography graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of Texas At San Antonio earned it the #2 place for geography. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of North Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,994 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $39,960. Set against $20,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Stephen F Austin State University generally make around $42,197. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $35,936. Set against $25,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Sam Houston State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos earned the #6 position for value in geography this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,021 in student loans. Geography graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,590 early in their careers. Set against $24,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 89%.
The University Of Texas At Austin ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. In-state tuition and fees average $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Geography graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $36,878 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,479 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 11 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
