2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
43
Ranked Colleges
1,187
Degrees Awarded
$18,900
Avg Net Price*
It’s not easy to decide which college to attend when there so many options available for students. 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 $75-$110k” 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 $75-$110k” ranking analyzed 43 colleges that offered a degree in geography and cartography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography and cartography programs, but they also cost less that 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
Since picking the right college can be one of the most important decisions of your life, we’ve developed the “Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k” ranking, along with many other major-related rankings, to help you make that decision.
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 $75-$110k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k.
Top 25 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $75-$110k) in the Great Lakes Region
You’ll join some of the best and brightest minds around if you attend University of Chicago. The school came in at #1 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. University of Chicago is a private not-for-profit institution located in Chicago, Illinois. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 11 ’s 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 $19,895 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Since the school has a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 5 to 1, those pursuing a degree will have more opportunities to interact with their professors. 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%. With a freshman retention rate of 100%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students.
Full UChicago Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 43 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwestern University landed the #2 spot on the list. Northwestern University is a large private not-for-profit school situated in Evanston, Illinois. It awarded 8 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwestern also took the #3 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Northwestern University is $15,686 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
With a freshman retention rate of 97%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.6%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 6 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed.
Full Northwestern 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 $75-$110k. This large school is located in Madison, Wisconsin, and it awarded 132 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Madison, the school also landed the #2 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UW - Madison is $22,377 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 0.9%, 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 95%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Madison
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Ohio State University - Main Campus. It ranked #4 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Columbus, Ohio, this large public school awarded 88 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k list, Ohio State has also earned the #5 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Ohio State is $21,575 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 94%. 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
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 #5 for the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k. This large school is located in Champaign, Illinois, and it awarded 45 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UIUC also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #4. It costs about $22,400 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend UIUC.
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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
With a ranking of #6, University of Wisconsin - River Falls did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This medium-sized school is located in River Falls, Wisconsin, and it awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - River Falls, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - River Falls is $16,739 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Full UW - River Falls Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - La Crosse ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. 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.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - La Crosse, the school also landed the #11 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - La Crosse is $16,472 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.5%, which is much lower than the national rate of 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
Indiana University - Bloomington ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Indiana University - Bloomington is a public institution located in Bloomington, Indiana. The school has a large population, and it awarded 15 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
IU Bloomington also took the #8 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $20,234 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Indiana University - Bloomington.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 91%.
Full IU Bloomington Geography & Cartography Report
University of Wisconsin - Whitewater came in at #9 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Whitewater is a fairly large public school situated in Whitewater, Wisconsin. It awarded 40 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UW - Whitewater, the school also landed the #17 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. It costs about $17,253 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend University of Wisconsin - Whitewater.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at UW - Whitewater
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire came in at #10 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. UW - Eau Claire is located in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 48 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
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 UW - Eau Claire is $18,816 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
With a ranking of #11, Central Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Central Michigan University is a fairly large public school situated in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. It awarded 19 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Central Michigan did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #21 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Central Michigan is $18,135 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 Central Michigan
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #12. Located in Edwardsville, Illinois, this fairly large public school handed out 26 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
SIUE also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #18. The estimated yearly cost for Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is $18,226 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full SIUE Geography & Cartography Report
Eastern Michigan University landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Eastern Michigan is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 14 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k 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 is $18,563 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Eastern Michigan
With a ranking of #14, University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. UW - Stevens Point is a medium-sized public school situated in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. It awarded 12 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point is $16,503 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #15, Ball State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. This large school is located in Muncie, Indiana, and it awarded 22 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Ball State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list, coming in at #20. It costs about $19,563 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k 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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Ball State
University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, this fairly large public school awarded 8 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh is $17,169 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh
With a ranking of #17, University of Wisconsin - Parkside did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Kenosha, Wisconsin is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 14 students in 2020-2021.
The yearly cost to attend UW - Parkside is $15,198 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
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%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UW - Parkside
Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking, coming in at #18. Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis is a large public school situated in Indianapolis, Indiana. It awarded 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $17,844 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Indiana University - Purdue University - Indianapolis.
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
Indiana 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 $75-$110k ranking. Indiana State University is a medium-sized public school situated in Terre Haute, Indiana. It awarded 25 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
The estimated yearly cost for Indiana State is $19,566 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Indiana State
Grand Valley State University landed the #20 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k ranking. Grand Valley State University is a large public school situated in Allendale, Michigan. It awarded 77 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
GVSU also took the #25 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend GVSU is $19,603 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
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 Grand Valley State University
With a ranking of #21, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this large public school handed out 28 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k list, UWM has also earned the #22 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend UWM is $20,785 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Full UWM Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #22, Eastern Illinois University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. EIU is located in Charleston, Illinois and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 16 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
It costs about $17,594 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Eastern Illinois University.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Eastern Illinois University
Valparaiso University ranked #23 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Valparaiso University is a small school located in Valparaiso, Indiana that handed out 5 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Valpo not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #24 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region” list. It costs about $23,646 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Valparaiso University.
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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Valpo
With a ranking of #24, Youngstown State University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. Youngstown State University is a public institution located in Youngstown, Ohio. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 8 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
It costs about $15,809 for great lakes region geography students whose families make $75-$110k per year to attend Youngstown State University.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Youngstown State University
With a ranking of #25, Western Michigan University did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Great Lakes Region For Those Making $75-$110k list. WMU 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 Western Michigan University is $23,726 for Great Lakes Region Geography students whose families make $75-$110k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Western Michigan University
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