2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Associate’s Degree Schools
[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.
College Factual analyzed 535 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geography & cartography schools.
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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography & cartography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Our analysis ranked Saddleback College the best value for a degree in geography & cartography in the United States. Saddleback College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Mission Viejo. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,432, while out-of-state students pay about $14,812. Students borrow a median of $5,707 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at San Diego Mesa College, which ranked #2. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, compared with $10,002 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at American River College earned it the #3 place for geography & cartography. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, compared with $12,616 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Central New Mexico Community College, which ranked #4. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $34,751. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, with out-of-state students paying around $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
Foothill College ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the geography & cartography program here. 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.
Santa Barbara City College placed #7 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara City College is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,240 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Santa Barbara City College earn a median of $68,184 early in their careers. Set against $21,090 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, with out-of-state students paying around $5,263. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Other Geography & Cartography Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geography & cartography schools at other degree levels:
View All Geography & Cartography Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 535 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
