2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k
43
Ranked Colleges
1,187
Degrees Awarded
With all of the options students have for higher education today, it can be tough to choose which direction to take. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
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 $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree 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.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geography and cartography program at the school. For more information, check out our ranking methodology.
One Size Does Not Fit All
The geography school you choose to invest your time and money in matters. To help you make the decision that is right for you, we’ve developed a number of major-specific rankings, including this list of “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k”.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. We encourage you to try it out and pit your favorite colleges and universities head to head! If you don’t have time right now, you can bookmark it for later.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $48-$75k) in the Great Lakes Region
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #1 spot on the list. Evanston, Illinois is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 8 students in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #3. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $5,849 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.6% 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 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio of 6 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 97%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Northwestern University
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend University of Chicago. It ranked #2 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This fairly large school is located in Chicago, Illinois, and it awarded 11 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UChicago, the school also landed the #1 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UChicago is $8,375 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 100%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.0% 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 UChicago Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Wisconsin - Madison landed the #3 spot on the list. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 132 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Madison did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #2 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Madison is $10,364 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Madison
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 $48-$75k. Located in Champaign, Illinois, this large public school awarded 45 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UIUC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #4 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is $11,505 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 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 $48-$75k. Ohio State University - Main Campus is located in Columbus, Ohio and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 88 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Ohio State did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $13,273 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% 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%.
Full Ohio State Geography & Cartography Report
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 $48-$75k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a large public school situated in Bloomington, Indiana. It awarded 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at IU Bloomington, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,369 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend IU Bloomington.
With a freshman retention rate of 91%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.4% 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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at IU Bloomington
University of Wisconsin - River Falls came in at #7 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - River Falls is a public institution located in River Falls, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - River Falls also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #10. It costs about $14,528 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UW - River Falls.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.0%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Wisconsin - River Falls Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse landed the #8 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is a public institution located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 24 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, UW - La Crosse has also earned the #11 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $13,198 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 1.5% 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 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - La Crosse
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. SIUE is a fairly large school located in Edwardsville, Illinois that handed out 26 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
SIUE also took the #18 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $12,950 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at SIUE
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. UW - Eau Claire is a public institution located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 48 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UW - Eau Claire also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #14. It costs about $14,737 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana, this large public school handed out 10 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is $13,306 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 4.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Whitewater, Wisconsin is the setting for this fairly large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 40 students in 2020-2021.
UW - Whitewater did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $14,226 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UW - Whitewater
With a ranking of #13, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Central Michigan is located in Mount Pleasant, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 19 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Central Michigan also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #21. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $15,720 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Central Michigan University Geography & Cartography Report
Ball State University came in at #14 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Ball State University is a large school located in Muncie, Indiana that handed out 22 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State also took the #20 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $15,158 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k 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 Geography & Cartography Report
Eastern Illinois University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Eastern Illinois University is a medium-sized school located in Charleston, Illinois that handed out 16 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Illinois University is $12,675 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Eastern Illinois University
Chicago State University did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #16. Located in Chicago, Illinois, this small public school handed out 3 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend Chicago State University is $13,678 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 9 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors.
Full CSU Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #17, Indiana State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Indiana State is a public institution located in Terre Haute, Indiana. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 25 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,588 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Indiana State.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Indiana State
Grand Valley State University landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Grand Valley State University is located in Allendale, Michigan and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 77 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
GVSU did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #25 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $15,277 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend GVSU.
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%.
Full GVSU Geography & Cartography Report
Eastern Michigan University landed the #19 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Ypsilanti, Michigan, this fairly large public school awarded 14 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Eastern Michigan has also earned the #23 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Eastern Michigan University is $14,547 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full Eastern Michigan University Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - Parkside ranked #20 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Located in Kenosha, Wisconsin, this small public school handed out 14 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Parkside is $12,061 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Parkside
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point ranked #21 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is a public institution located in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 12 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $13,560 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Full UW - Stevens Point Geography & Cartography Report
Illinois State University came in at #22 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Illinois State is a large public school situated in Normal, Illinois. It awarded 32 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Illinois State also took the #9 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Illinois State University is $19,293 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full Illinois State Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #23. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 8 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $14,157 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at UW Oshkosh
Michigan State University landed the #24 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in East Lansing, Michigan, this large public school awarded 29 degrees to qualified ’s geography students 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. The yearly cost to attend Michigan State is $20,557 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.6%, 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 91%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Michigan State University
University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee ranked #25 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is a large public school situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It awarded 28 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UWM also took the #22 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee is $17,606 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
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