2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in Virginia
[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.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for geography & cartography students.
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2027 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in Virginia
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
Old Dominion University earned the #1 spot for value among geography & cartography schools in Virginia. Located in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $57,131. That is a strong return on a $26,001 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Radford University came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, compared with $25,633 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
A rank of #3 makes George Mason University one of the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Mary Washington one of the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,905, while out-of-state students pay about $28,083. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $19,500. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $43,243. That is a strong return on a $19,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
James Madison University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #5 spot this year. James Madison University is a very large public school located in the city of Harrisonburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,966, compared with $31,312 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $19,800. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from James Madison University generally make around $45,094. That is a strong return on a $19,800 median debt. James Madison University admits about 72% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #6 for value in geography & cartography this year. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public school located in the city of Blacksburg. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $39,328. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 55%.
Liberty University came in at #7 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Lynchburg, Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,173. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $27,414 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Liberty University generally make around $45,877. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 99% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
