by our College Data Analytics Team
[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 9 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography & cartography students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography & cartography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Leading the list is Santa Monica College, our #1 best value for geography & cartography in the United States. Santa Monica College is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Monica. In-state tuition and fees average $1,156, with out-of-state students paying around $10,708. Median earnings reach $42,193 ten years out.
A rank of #2 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for geography & cartography. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $10,924. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $9,191. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Pasadena City College generally make around $38,841. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $2,060, compared with $8,684 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
A rank of #4 makes Foothill College one of the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,565 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Fullerton College, which ranked #5. 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. Graduates go on to earn a median of $43,366 ten years after entry.
Sierra College earned the #6 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Sierra College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Rocklin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,446. Students borrow a median of $12,733 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $29,214. Set against $12,733 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $14,519. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Salt Lake Community College earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,426, compared with $14,244 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $10,855. Geography & Cartography graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Green River Community College placed #9 among the best values for geography & cartography. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,711, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Graduates go on to earn a median of $50,712 ten years after entry.
Explore the best-value geography & cartography schools at other degree levels:
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 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 · 9 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.