2026 Best Geography Master’s Degree Schools
Geography is a field worth a close look when choosing where to study. The schools below stand out for the quality of their geography programs.
For its 2026 ranking, College Factual looked at 366 schools in the United States to determine which ones were the best for geography students pursuing a degree.
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Best Schools for Geography in the United States
Below are the best geography schools at the master’s degree level, ranked by the quality of the education they deliver.
Top Schools in Geography
University Of Massachusetts Amherst tops our 2026 ranking of the best geography schools. University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public school located in the city of Amherst. University Of Massachusetts Amherst graduates 83% of students within six years. There were roughly 17 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Massachusetts Amherst in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,543 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete this degree.
See the full geography program report for University Of Massachusetts Amherst
George Mason University is one of the finest schools in the country for a degree in geography, ranking #2. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. About 68% of students finish within six years. George Mason University awarded about 11 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography degree from George Mason University earn around $49,568 in the first couple years of their career. George Mason University graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans.
Get the full geography details for George Mason University
A rank of #3 makes George Washington University one of the top schools for geography. Located in the city of Washington, George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Roughly 84% of students complete a degree within six years here. George Washington University awarded about 11 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $52,883 in their early career. Typical student debt for the program is $25,000.
See the full geography program report for George Washington University
Students looking for a strong geography program will find one at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University, which ranked #4. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Roughly 86% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 10 geography degrees were awarded at Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University in the most recent year. Geography graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $39,328 early in their careers. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete this degree.
Get the full geography details for Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University
Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a great choice for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #5 spot this year. This large public university is located in the city of University Park. About 34% of students finish within six years. Pennsylvania State University World Campus awarded about 11 geography degrees in the most recent data year.
More information about a degree in geography from Pennsylvania State University World Campus
San Diego State University came in at #6 for geography this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. About 76% of students finish within six years. About 10 geography degrees were awarded at San Diego State University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography degree from San Diego State University earn around $38,648 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete this degree.
Get the full geography details for San Diego State University
University Of Maryland Baltimore County earned the #7 position for geography this year. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Roughly 69% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 13 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Maryland Baltimore County in the most recent data year. Students who receive their geography degree from University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn around $49,179 in the first couple years of their career. University Of Maryland Baltimore County graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans.
Get the full geography details for University Of Maryland Baltimore County
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #8 for geography this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. Roughly 55% of students complete a degree within six years here. Texas State University San Marcos awarded about 10 geography degrees in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,590 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $24,021.
Read more about the geography program at Texas State University San Marcos
University Of Georgia earned the #9 position for geography this year. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. University Of Georgia graduates 90% of students within six years. There were roughly 10 geography students who graduated with this degree at University Of Georgia in the most recent data year. Geography graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. Typical student debt for the program is $22,133.
Get the full geography details for University Of Georgia
Appalachian State University landed the #10 spot for geography this year. Appalachian State University is a very large public school located in the town of Boone. Roughly 74% of students complete a degree within six years here. There were roughly 11 geography students who graduated with this degree at Appalachian State University in the most recent data year. Graduates of the geography program make about $41,648 in their early career. Appalachian State University graduates carry a median of $17,750 in student loans.
See the full geography program report for Appalachian State University
Marshall University placed #11 among the best geography schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. Roughly 51% of students complete a degree within six years here. About 13 geography degrees were awarded at Marshall University in the most recent year. Students who receive their geography degree from Marshall University earn around $52,481 in the first couple years of their career. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete this degree.
Get the full geography details for Marshall University
Other Geography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare Geography rankings across degree levels:
View All Geography Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 366 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.
