2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Rocky Mountains Region
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 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 Rocky Mountains Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography & cartography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Leading the list is Utah Valley University, our #1 best value for geography & cartography in the Rocky Mountains Region. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,507, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $16,478. Geography & Cartography graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
Brigham Young University Idaho came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the town of Rexburg, Brigham Young University Idaho is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,800. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $13,287. Geography & Cartography graduates of Brigham Young University Idaho earn a median of $43,853 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 96%.
A rank of #3 makes College Of Southern Idaho one of the best values for geography & cartography. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $11,175. Geography & Cartography graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at College Of Western Idaho earned it the #4 place for geography & cartography. Set in the rural area of Nampa, College Of Western Idaho is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $3,446 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,454. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $12,497 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of College Of Western Idaho earn a median of $40,963 early in their careers.
Salt Lake Community College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Community College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,426, while out-of-state students pay about $14,244. Students borrow a median of $10,855 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Salt Lake Community College earn a median of $42,031 early in their careers. Set against $10,855 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University landed the #6 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,557, compared with $17,545 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #7 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,383 in tuition and fees, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $22,468. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Colorado Denver generally make around $39,104. That is a strong return on a $22,468 median debt. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
Front Range Community College earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Westminster, Front Range Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,263. Students borrow a median of $20,354 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Front Range Community College earn a median of $40,414 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Wyoming earned the #9 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,768 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,178. Students borrow a median of $20,283 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $49,890. That is a strong return on a $20,283 median debt. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Idaho came in at #10 for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Idaho is a large public school located in the town of Moscow. In-state tuition and fees average $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Students borrow a median of $22,250 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Idaho earn a median of $43,246 early in their careers. Set against $22,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 76%.
Utah State University placed #11 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Logan, Utah State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $16,191. Geography & Cartography graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $65,286 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,191 median debt. The acceptance rate is 92%.
Brigham Young University Provo placed #12 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $10,360. Geography & Cartography graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $40,051 early in their careers. Set against $10,360 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Brigham Young University Provo admits about 68% of applicants.
University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs came in at #13 for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs is a large public school located in the city of Colorado Springs. In-state tuition and fees average $10,906, compared with $25,039 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $17,500 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Colorado At Colorado Springs earn a median of $36,426 early in their careers. Set against $17,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 97%.
University Of Utah placed #14 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $12,373 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $41,052. That is a strong return on a $12,373 median debt. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
The University Of Montana placed #15 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $24,342. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $42,654. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College landed the #16 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Durango. In-state tuition and fees average $9,958, compared with $21,526 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,888 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. Set against $18,888 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Northern Colorado landed the #17 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Greeley, University Of Northern Colorado is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,901, while out-of-state students pay about $26,979. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $23,974. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Northern Colorado earn a median of $36,996 early in their careers. Set against $23,974 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Denver landed the #18 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit institution. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $22,534. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $58,717. That is a strong return on a $22,534 median debt. The acceptance rate is 78%.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 18 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.
