[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 168 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography & cartography students.
Finding the Best Value Geography & Cartography School for You
Where you study geography & cartography affects both what you pay and what you earn. That is why we developed our Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools ranking. It weighs the cost of a degree against the outcomes graduates go on to achieve, so you can find the strongest return on your investment.
We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.
For return on investment in geography & cartography, no school beat University Of Florida this year. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $6,381 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,659. Students borrow a median of $18,600 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Florida generally make around $43,856. That is a strong return on a $18,600 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Cuny Hunter College earned it the #2 place for geography & cartography. Located in the city of New York, Cuny Hunter College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,382, while out-of-state students pay about $15,332. Students borrow a median of $11,091 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $51,372. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 54%.
California State University Los Angeles came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,164, while out-of-state students pay about $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $33,727. Set against $14,430 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Santa Monica College earned it the #4 place for geography & cartography. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,156, while out-of-state students pay about $10,708. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,193.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Pasadena City College, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, with out-of-state students paying around $10,924. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $9,191. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University placed #6 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, compared with $18,489 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $51,242. Set against $16,478 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Northridge earned the #7 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $8,250. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $27,002. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Tarrant County College District came in at #8 for value in geography & cartography this year. Tarrant County College District is a very large public school located in the city of Fort Worth. In-state tuition and fees average $1,863, while out-of-state students pay about $8,370. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,148. Geography & Cartography graduates of Tarrant County College District earn a median of $45,158 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
California State University Fullerton ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,525. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $26,040. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Austin Community College District landed the #10 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Central New Mexico Community College landed the #11 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, while out-of-state students pay about $8,684. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $10,112. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Foothill College placed #12 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $11,595. Geography & Cartography graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
Mt San Antonio College earned the #13 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Mt San Antonio College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Walnut. In-state tuition and fees average $1,364, compared with $10,464 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $9,384 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,391. Set against $9,384 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Sacramento earned the #14 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,881. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $48,227. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Fullerton College ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Fullerton College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. In-state tuition and fees average $1,151, compared with $12,379 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $43,366 ten years out.
Brigham Young University Idaho landed the #16 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800. Students borrow a median of $13,287 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $43,853. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Brigham Young University Idaho admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida Atlantic University earned the #17 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $19,692. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $42,833. Set against $19,692 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida Atlantic University admits about 66% of applicants.
San Juan College ranked #18 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. San Juan College is a moderately-sized public school located in the rural area of Farmington. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,910, with out-of-state students paying around $5,393. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $16,150. Geography & Cartography graduates of San Juan College earn a median of $41,697 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Sierra College placed #19 among the best values for geography & cartography. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Students from in state pay about $1,446 in tuition and fees. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $12,733 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Diablo Valley College earned the #20 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Pleasant Hill, Diablo Valley College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,312, with out-of-state students paying around $10,320. Students borrow a median of $9,205 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Diablo Valley College earn a median of $27,813 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $9,205 median debt.
College Of Southern Idaho came in at #21 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, while out-of-state students pay about $6,840. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $39,099. Set against $11,175 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco came in at #22 for value in geography & cartography this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Students from in state pay about $1,696 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $10,332. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Montgomery College landed the #23 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Rockville, Montgomery College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,394, compared with $14,250 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $11,230 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $24,833. That is a strong return on a $11,230 median debt.
University Of South Florida Main Campus landed the #24 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Students borrow a median of $21,829 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $39,259. That is a strong return on a $21,829 median debt. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Long Beach earned the #25 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,000. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $52,865 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geography & cartography:
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 168 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 168 ranked schools only.
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).
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
