2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Far Western Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography & cartography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in geography & cartography in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Students borrow a median of $6,999 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from San Diego Mesa College generally make around $29,852. Set against $6,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #2 makes Saddleback College one of the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the suburb of Mission Viejo, Saddleback College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $1,432 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $14,812. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $5,707 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Saddleback College earn a median of $15,890 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $5,707 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes Pasadena City College one of the best values for geography & cartography. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. 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.
A rank of #4 makes California State University Los Angeles one of the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Los Angeles, California State University Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,164 in tuition and fees, compared with $19,764 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $14,430. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at American River College, which ranked #5. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Students from in state pay about $1,288 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $76,077. Set against $14,105 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
California State University Fullerton landed the #6 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the suburb of Fullerton, California State University Fullerton is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,470, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Fullerton generally make around $26,040. That is a strong return on a $15,525 median debt. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Palomar College came in at #7 for value in geography & cartography this year. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. Students from in state pay about $1,354 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.
California State University Northridge placed #8 among the best values for geography & cartography. California State University Northridge is a very large public school located in the city of Northridge. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. 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%.
Foothill College came in at #9 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $11,595. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $94,152. Set against $11,595 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
City College Of San Francisco ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of San Francisco, City College Of San Francisco is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the geography & cartography program here. 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.
California State University Long Beach landed the #11 spot for geography & cartography value 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, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Students borrow a median of $15,000 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $52,865. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Lane Community College earned the #12 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,202, compared with $13,078 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $18,373. Geography & Cartography graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Sacramento landed the #13 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,018, compared with $20,618 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $48,227. Set against $15,881 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Sacramento admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #14 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $16,151. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $67,975. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Santa Barbara City College placed #15 among the best values for geography & cartography. Santa Barbara City College is a large public school located in the city of Santa Barbara. In-state tuition and fees average $1,240, while out-of-state students pay about $10,432. Students borrow a median of $21,090 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Santa Barbara City College generally make around $68,184. That is a strong return on a $21,090 median debt.
Portland Community College earned the #16 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,440 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $21,644. Geography & Cartography graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $38,714 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,644 median debt.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #17 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,826. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $35,426. That is a strong return on a $15,826 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Green River Community College came in at #18 for value in geography & cartography this year. Green River Community College is a large public school located in the city of Auburn. Students from in state pay about $4,711 in tuition and fees, compared with $5,263 for out-of-state students. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
San Francisco State University earned the #19 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Students borrow a median of $13,768 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $24,875 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $17,504. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $55,232. That is a strong return on a $17,504 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University placed #21 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $51,188. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Eastern Washington University ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the town of Cheney, Eastern Washington University is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,586, with out-of-state students paying around $26,583. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $21,754. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Eastern Washington University generally make around $47,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 91%.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, while out-of-state students pay about $20,798. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Hawaii At Hilo earn a median of $30,293 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 61% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Santa Barbara came in at #24 for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public school located in the suburb of Santa Barbara. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $13,750 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of California Santa Barbara earn a median of $37,398 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of California Santa Barbara admits about 33% of applicants.
Humboldt State University came in at #25 for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $17,412. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $27,355. That is a strong return on a $17,412 median debt. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
Rest of the Top 36 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geography & cartography:
Narrow Geography & Cartography Schools by State
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 133 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 23 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.
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geography & cartography education at a price that pays off.
