2027 Best Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Geography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. A focused field like this rewards careful comparison of the schools that offer it.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 6 schools to find the best for geography students.
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Best Schools for Geography in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest overall geography education in the Great Lakes Region.
Top Schools in Geography
Our analysis ranked Illinois State University the best school in the country for a degree in geography. This very large public university is located in the suburb of Normal. Illinois State University graduates 64% of students within six years. About 31 geography degrees were awarded at Illinois State University in the most recent year. Geography graduates of Illinois State University earn a median of $34,952 early in their careers. Illinois State University graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans.
Read more about the geography program at Illinois State University
Michigan State University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography, ranking #2. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. The six-year graduation rate is 81%. About 11 geography degrees were awarded at Michigan State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography degree from Michigan State University earn around $54,166 in the first couple years of their career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,213.
Get the full geography details for Michigan State University
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best geography schools. This moderately-sized public university is located in the town of Stevens Point. Roughly 56% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 15 geography degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point in the most recent year. Geography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point earn a median of $41,256 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $24,161 to complete this degree.
Get the full geography details for University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point
Students looking for a strong geography program will find one at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire, which ranked #4. This large public university is located in the city of Eau Claire. Roughly 65% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 geography degrees were awarded at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire in the most recent year. Graduates of the geography program make about $40,048 in their early career. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire graduates carry a median of $21,212 in student loans.
See the full geography program report for University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
A rank of #5 makes Grand Valley State University one of the top schools for geography. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Grand Valley State University graduates 67% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 geography students who graduated with this degree at Grand Valley State University in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Grand Valley State University generally make around $36,367. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete this degree.
Get the full geography details for Grand Valley State University
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater landed the #6 spot for geography this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. Roughly 63% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 32 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Wisconsin Whitewater in the most recent data year. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $40,051. Students borrow a median of $23,983 to complete this degree.
See the full geography program report for University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs graduation rate, post-graduation earnings, cost, and program quality, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Top Ranked · 6 schools evaluated.
- 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.
