2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Master’s Degree Schools
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 37 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geography & cartography schools.
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2027 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
For return on investment in geography & cartography, no school beat Cuny Hunter College this year. Cuny Hunter College is a very large public school located in the city of New York. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,382, with out-of-state students paying around $15,332. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $11,091. Geography & Cartography graduates of Cuny Hunter College earn a median of $51,372 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,091 median debt. The acceptance rate is 54%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at California State University Northridge earned it the #2 place for geography & cartography. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $27,002 early in their careers. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,000. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from California State University Long Beach generally make around $73,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Marshall University earned it the #4 place for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,250 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of West Florida is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $19,677. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $67,045. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Florida State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $53,587. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Colorado Denver ranked #10 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, with out-of-state students paying around $29,391. Students borrow a median of $22,468 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $39,104. Set against $22,468 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
Northern Arizona University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Northern Arizona University earn a median of $47,056 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $21,645 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Delta State University ranked #12 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Delta State University is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Cleveland. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. Set against $23,432 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 100% of applicants are accepted.
Western Illinois University landed the #13 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $14,572 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $47,926. That is a strong return on a $27,639 median debt. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
San Diego State University ranked #14 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,648. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $24,096. Geography & Cartography graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,326 early in their careers. Set against $24,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Maryland College Park placed #16 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $24,441 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $40,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.
West Virginia University ranked #17 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,104, while out-of-state students pay about $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $34,435. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. West Virginia University admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Wisconsin Madison earned the #18 position for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $20,250. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $74,365 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #19 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Suny At Albany ranked #20 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Albany, Suny At Albany is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,601, compared with $30,991 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,521 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Suny At Albany generally make around $44,736. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Arizona came in at #21 for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $56,801. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Oregon State University earned the #22 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,400 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,190 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,041 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Oregon State University generally make around $51,326. That is a strong return on a $24,041 median debt. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Pennsylvania State University World Campus earned the #23 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public school located in the city of University Park. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $26,062. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $88,086. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Pennsylvania State University World Campus admits about 91% of applicants.
Unity College earned the #24 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Unity College is a large private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,640. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $27,083. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University At Buffalo came in at #25 for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,936 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,536. Students borrow a median of $24,255 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University At Buffalo generally make around $29,390. That is a strong return on a $24,255 median debt. The acceptance rate is 74%.
Rest of the Top 37 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geography & cartography:
Other Geography & Cartography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geography & Cartography rankings across degree levels:
View All Geography & Cartography Rankings >
Notes and References
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 · 37 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 37 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.
