2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Southeast Region
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 33 schools to find the best return on investment for geography & cartography students.
What’s on this page:
2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Southeast 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 University Of Florida the best value for a degree in geography & cartography in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Gainesville, University Of Florida is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,381, with out-of-state students paying around $28,659. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $18,600 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Florida earn a median of $43,856 early in their careers. Set against $18,600 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Florida Atlantic University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #2 spot this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. Students from in state pay about $4,879 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $19,692 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Florida Atlantic University generally make around $42,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 66%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of South Florida Main Campus one of the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $39,259 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 43%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #4 place for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.
Murray State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the town of Murray, Murray State University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,900 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,420 median debt. Murray State University admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #6 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Students borrow a median of $15,117 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earn a median of $42,454 early in their careers. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
The University Of West Florida placed #7 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. That is a strong return on a $19,677 median debt. The acceptance rate is 58%.
University Of North Georgia landed the #8 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,444, compared with $16,956 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Marshall University landed the #9 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,250. Geography & Cartography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
Florida State University landed the #10 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $26,707. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $44,598. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
Western Kentucky University earned the #11 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Memphis placed #12 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Memphis, University Of Memphis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,728, with out-of-state students paying around $15,384. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $26,315. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Memphis generally make around $48,890. Set against $26,315 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Memphis admits about 72% of applicants.
Eastern Kentucky University earned the #13 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the town of Richmond, Eastern Kentucky University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, compared with $21,230 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,122. Geography & Cartography graduates of Eastern Kentucky University earn a median of $43,891 early in their careers. Set against $25,122 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 78% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama landed the #14 spot for geography & cartography value this year. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $41,076. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Georgia placed #15 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,133 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $26,801. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Delta State University earned the #16 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the town of Cleveland, Delta State University is a mid-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,605. Students borrow a median of $23,432 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Delta State University generally make around $41,580. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 100%.
Old Dominion University earned the #17 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Old Dominion University is a very large public school located in the city of Norfolk. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $26,001 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Old Dominion University generally make around $57,131. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #18 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Radford University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Radford. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $47,271. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #19 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $42,210. Set against $23,954 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Kennesaw State University placed #20 among the best values for geography & cartography. Kennesaw State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kennesaw. Students from in state pay about $5,808 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $40,020. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. Kennesaw State University admits about 69% of applicants.
West Virginia University earned the #21 position for value in geography & cartography this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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. Geography & Cartography graduates of West Virginia University earn a median of $34,435 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Georgia State University earned the #22 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Georgia State University is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,664, with out-of-state students paying around $24,840. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $26,091. Geography & Cartography graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
George Mason University earned the #23 position for value in geography & cartography this year. George Mason University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fairfax. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, compared with $38,688 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $49,568. Set against $22,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.
North Carolina State University At Raleigh landed the #24 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Raleigh, North Carolina State University At Raleigh is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,799 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $32,847. Students borrow a median of $20,868 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of North Carolina State University At Raleigh earn a median of $55,320 early in their careers. Set against $20,868 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. North Carolina State University At Raleigh admits about 42% of applicants.
University Of Louisville earned the #25 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,136, with out-of-state students paying around $29,482. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Louisville earn a median of $37,844 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
These schools rounded out the top of this year’s geography & cartography value ranking:
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 33 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 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.
