2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 21 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography & cartography students.
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2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography & cartography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Columbus State Community College tops our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools in the Great Lakes Region. Set in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,488, compared with $11,224 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $9,041. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $39,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Harper College, which ranked #2. Harper College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Palatine. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $3,894, compared with $11,874 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $10,963 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,523. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Purdue University Main Campus is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of West Lafayette, Purdue University Main Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,992, with out-of-state students paying around $28,794. Students borrow a median of $19,844 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $63,111. Set against $19,844 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 50% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Michigan University earned it the #4 place for geography & cartography. Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Marquette. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,322, with out-of-state students paying around $19,944. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $22,608. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northern Michigan University generally make around $40,508. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 84%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #5 place for geography & cartography. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign landed the #6 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $42,214. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Whitewater came in at #7 for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the town of Whitewater, University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, while out-of-state students pay about $18,716. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,983 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Whitewater generally make around $40,051. That is a strong return on a $23,983 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point ranked #8 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the town of Stevens Point, University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,228, compared with $18,248 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,161 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Stevens Point generally make around $41,256. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 92% of applicants are accepted.
Wright State University Main Campus ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,991, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Students borrow a median of $25,836 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $49,077. Set against $25,836 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Wright State University Main Campus admits about 96% of applicants.
Eastern Michigan University landed the #10 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the suburb of Ypsilanti, Eastern Michigan University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $17,425 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $41,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,425 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University placed #11 among the best values for geography & cartography. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. In-state tuition and fees average $15,502, compared with $21,894 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $21,875. Geography & Cartography graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire placed #12 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Eau Claire, University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $21,212 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earn a median of $40,048 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,212 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #13 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $20,250. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $58,681. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Illinois State University earned the #14 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Normal, Illinois State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,410, while out-of-state students pay about $26,058. Students borrow a median of $15,500 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,952. Set against $15,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.
Michigan State University landed the #15 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #16 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,220 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Kent State University At Kent earn a median of $42,015 early in their careers. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Kent State University At Kent admits about 86% of applicants.
Ohio University Main Campus earned the #17 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,158, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $26,000. Geography & Cartography graduates of Ohio University Main Campus earn a median of $33,199 early in their careers. Set against $26,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College earned the #18 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $39,350. Students borrow a median of $22,707 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus landed the #19 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $13,363 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Miami University Oxford ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $17,519, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Depaul University ranked #21 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,412 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Depaul University earn a median of $47,464 early in their careers. Set against $23,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Depaul University admits about 76% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 21 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 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.
