2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
43
Ranked Colleges
1,187
Degrees Awarded
$9,900
Avg Net Price*
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
In 2020-2021, 8,526 people earned their degree in geography and cartography, making the major the 110th most popular in the United States. In 2019-2020, geography and cartography graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,604 and had an average of $22,522 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Great Lakes region, there were 1,187 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $34,196 and $24,578 respectively.
This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking looked at 43 colleges that offer degrees in a bachelor’s in geography and cartography. This ranking identifies schools with high-quality geography and cartography programs that also have a lower cost than schools of similar quality.
When determining these rankings, we looked at things such as overall quality of the geography and cartography program at the school and the cost to attend the school once aid has been awarded. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
To further help you make the college decision, we’ve developed a unique tool called College Combat that allows you to compare schools based on the factors that matter the most to you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don’t forget it.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $30-$48k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Chicago landed the #1 spot on the list. University of Chicago is a fairly large school located in Chicago, Illinois that handed out 11 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UChicago also took the #1 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Chicago is $4,777 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1 is a sign that students will have more opportunities to engage with their professors one-on-one. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 100%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UChicago Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Northwestern University. The school came in at #2 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Northwestern University is a large school located in Evanston, Illinois that handed out 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. It costs about $917 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Northwestern.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Northwestern University Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Wisconsin - Madison. The school came in at #3 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. Located in Madison, Wisconsin, this large public school awarded 132 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $4,788 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.9% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 95%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UW - Madison Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The school came in at #4 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. UIUC is a large public school situated in Champaign, Illinois. It awarded 45 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also took the #4 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UIUC is $8,036 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 94%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.3%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full UIUC Geography & Cartography Report
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. The school came in at #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k. This large school is located in Columbus, Ohio, and it awarded 88 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Ohio State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #5. It costs about $8,581 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
With a freshman retention rate of 94%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Ohio State University - Main Campus
With a ranking of #6, Indiana University - Bloomington did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This large school is located in Bloomington, Indiana, and it awarded 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, IU Bloomington has also earned the #8 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend IU Bloomington is $7,061 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Indiana University - Bloomington
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. IUPUI is a large school located in Indianapolis, Indiana that handed out 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,216 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.2% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #8. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is located in La Crosse, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 24 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UW - La Crosse did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #11 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $10,075 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UW - La Crosse.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
With a ranking of #9, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. River Falls, Wisconsin is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 12 students in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #10 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $9,478 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - River Falls.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - River Falls
With a ranking of #10, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Edwardsville, Illinois is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 26 students in 2020-2021.
SIUE also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. It costs about $8,825 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend SIUE.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Ball State University came in at #11 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Located in Muncie, Indiana, this large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Ball State has also earned the #20 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,786 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Ball State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Ball State University Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire landed the #12 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and it awarded 48 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #14 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire is $10,658 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #13. University of Wisconsin - Whitewater is a fairly large school located in Whitewater, Wisconsin that handed out 40 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Whitewater also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $10,390 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Full University of Wisconsin - Whitewater Geography & Cartography Report
Indiana State University ranked #14 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This medium-sized school is located in Terre Haute, Indiana, and it awarded 25 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State University is $10,911 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Indiana State
With a ranking of #15, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Mount Pleasant, Michigan is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 19 students in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #21 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $12,346 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Central Michigan University
Michigan State University ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Michigan State University is a large school located in East Lansing, Michigan that handed out 29 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Michigan State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #7 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,170 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Michigan State.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 91%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full Michigan State Geography & Cartography Report
Grand Valley State University came in at #17 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. GVSU is a large school located in Allendale, Michigan that handed out 77 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Grand Valley State University is $11,026 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at GVSU
University of Wisconsin - Parkside landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. University of Wisconsin - Parkside is located in Kenosha, Wisconsin and, has a small student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Parkside is $8,022 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.8% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - Parkside Geography & Cartography Report
Illinois State University came in at #19 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Normal, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 32 students in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Illinois State, the school also landed the #9 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Illinois State is $14,982 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Illinois State University
Eastern Illinois University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #20. Charleston, Illinois is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 16 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $10,056 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend EIU.
Full Eastern Illinois University Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point landed the #21 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized school located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin that handed out 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Stevens Point is $9,052 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #22, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Western Michigan University is located in Kalamazoo, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 33 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
WMU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #12 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend WMU is $15,552 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Full Western Michigan University Geography & Cartography Report
Indiana University - Southeast landed the #23 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. New Albany, Indiana is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
It costs about $8,556 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Indiana University - Southeast.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Indiana University - Southeast
Eastern Michigan University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. Eastern Michigan is a fairly large public school situated in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It awarded 14 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Eastern Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #23 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Eastern Michigan is $13,265 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Eastern Michigan University
Miami University - Oxford ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Oxford, Ohio is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 48 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Miami University - Oxford has also earned the #6 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Miami University - Oxford is $16,062 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Miami University - Oxford
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