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2024 Best Geography & Cartography Schools

229 Colleges in the United States
8,281 Geography Degrees Awarded
$39,673 Avg Early-Career Salary
If you plan on majoring in geography & cartography, you won't be alone since the degree program is ranked #110 in the country in terms of popularity. This means you won't have too much trouble finding schools that offer the degree.

College Factual looked at 229 colleges and universities when compiling its 2024 Best Geography & Cartography Schools ranking. When you put them all together, these colleges and universities awarded 8,281 degrees in geography & cartography during the 2021-2022 academic year.

Jump to one of the following sections: * Degree-Level Rankings

Choosing a Great Geography & Cartography School

Best Geography & Cartography Schools Your choice of geography & cartography school matters, so we have put together these rankings to help you make your decision. In order to come up with a best overall ranking for geography & cartography schools, we combine our degree-level rankings, weighting them by the number of degrees awarded at each level.

You may want to choose one of the degree levels below to find the schools of most interest to you.

Geography & Cartography Rankings by Degree Level

Associate Degrees in Geography
Bachelor's Degrees in Geography
Master's Degrees in Geography
Doctor's Degrees in Geography

When choosing the right school for you, it's important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we've created a number of major-specific rankings, including this Best Geography & Cartography Schools list to help you make the college decision. You can also filter this list by location to find schools closer to you.

In addition to College Factual's rankings, you may want to take a look at College Combat, our unique tool that lets you pit your favorite schools head-to-head and compare how they rate on factors that most interest you. When you have some time, check it out - you may want to bookmark the link so you don't forget it.

More information on how we come up with our rankings can be found here: College Factual's Data Methodology.

Best Schools for Geography & Cartography in the United States

Although we recommend filtering by degree level first, you can view the list below to see which schools give the educational experience for the geography degree levels they offer. Only those schools that rank in the top 15% of all the schools we analyze get awarded with a place on this list.

25 Top Schools in Geography

1
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In PA
37 Geography Degrees Awarded

University of Pennsylvania is a great option for students interested in a degree in geography & cartography. Located in the large city of Philadelphia, UPenn is a private not-for-profit university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #4 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UPenn is a great university overall.

There were roughly 37 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UPenn in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Pennsylvania

2
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
87 Geography Degrees Awarded
27.6% Growth in Graduates

University of Southern California is a wonderful option for students interested in a degree in geography & cartography. USC is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Los Angeles. A Best Colleges rank of #11 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means USC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 87 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at USC in the most recent data year. Geography & Cartography degree recipients from University of Southern California get an earnings boost of around $21,094 over the typical earnings of geography & cartography graduates.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Southern California

3
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
106 Geography Degrees Awarded
$36,662 Median Starting Salary

University of California - Los Angeles is one of the best schools in the country for getting a degree in geography & cartography. Located in the city of Los Angeles, UCLA is a public university with a very large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #26 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UCLA is a great university overall.

There were approximately 106 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UCLA in the most recent year we have data available. After graduating, geography degree recipients usually make around $36,662 in the first five years of their career.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of California - Los Angeles

4
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
196 Geography Degrees Awarded
26.0% Growth in Graduates

University of Washington - Seattle Campus is a great option for students interested in a degree in geography & cartography. Located in the large city of Seattle, UW Seattle is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #37 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UW Seattle is a great university overall.

There were approximately 196 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UW Seattle in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the geography & cartography program at University of Washington - Seattle Campus get $11,543 more than the standard college graduate with the same degree when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Washington - Seattle Campus

5
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
6th Most Popular In IL

Located in the large city of Chicago, UChicago is a private not-for-profit university with a large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #2 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UChicago is a great university overall.

There were about 10 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UChicago in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Chicago

6
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
95 Geography Degrees Awarded
22.1% Growth in Graduates

Located in the medium-sized city of College Station, Texas A&M College Station is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 115 colleges for overall quality in the state of Texas.

There were approximately 95 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Texas A&M College Station in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the geography & cartography program at Texas A&M University - College Station get $8,106 more than the average college grad in this field when they enter the workforce.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Texas A&M University - College Station

7
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
$40,623 Median Starting Salary

Dartmouth is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit college located in the town of Hanover. A Best Colleges rank of #25 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means Dartmouth is a great college overall.

There were about 28 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Dartmouth in the most recent year we have data available. Soon after graduating, geography degree recipients generally make around $40,623 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Dartmouth College

8
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
94 Geography Degrees Awarded
$31,655 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Madison, UW - Madison is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #30 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UW - Madison is a great university overall.

There were roughly 94 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UW - Madison in the most recent data year. After graduating, geography degree recipients usually make an average of $31,655 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Wisconsin - Madison

9
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
114 Geography Degrees Awarded
$32,729 Median Starting Salary

Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, UCSB is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 10th out of 168 schools for overall quality in the state of California.

There were about 114 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UCSB in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the geography program make about $32,729 in their early career salary.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of California - Santa Barbara

10
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
84 Geography Degrees Awarded
$43,789 Median Starting Salary

UMCP is a fairly large public university located in the large suburb of College Park. A Best Colleges rank of #42 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UMCP is a great university overall.

There were roughly 84 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UMCP in the most recent year we have data available. Those geography & cartography students who get their degree from University of Maryland - College Park earn $4,116 more than the typical geography student.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Maryland - College Park

11

Johns Hopkins is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the large city of Baltimore. A Best Colleges rank of #23 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Johns Hopkins is a great university overall.

There were approximately 23 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Johns Hopkins in the most recent data year. Degree recipients from the geography & cartography degree program at Johns Hopkins University make $32,841 more than the typical graduate with the same degree shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Johns Hopkins University

12
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
32 Geography Degrees Awarded
$40,269 Median Starting Salary

Located in the small city of Champaign, UIUC is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #34 out of 2,217 colleges nationwide means UIUC is a great university overall.

There were approximately 32 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UIUC in the most recent year we have data available. Students who graduate with their degree from the geography program report average early career earnings of $40,269.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

13
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
68 Geography Degrees Awarded
$38,932 Median Starting Salary

Ohio State is a fairly large public university located in the city of Columbus. This university ranks 2nd out of 96 schools for overall quality in the state of Ohio.

There were about 68 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Ohio State in the most recent year we have data available. After graduation, geography degree recipients generally earn about $38,932 in their early careers.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Ohio State University - Main Campus

14
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
40 Geography Degrees Awarded
$57,970 Median Starting Salary

GWU is a fairly large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Washington. This university ranks 2nd out of 8 schools for overall quality in the state of District of Columbia.

There were about 40 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at GWU in the most recent year we have data available. Degree recipients from the geography & cartography program at George Washington University get $18,297 above the average graduate in this field shortly after graduation.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from George Washington University

15
UF crest
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
100 Geography Degrees Awarded
3.0% Growth in Graduates

Located in the midsize city of Gainesville, UF is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 77 colleges for overall quality in the state of Florida.

There were roughly 100 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UF in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the geography program report average early career earnings of $35,672.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Florida

15
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
10th Most Popular In IL

Northwestern is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the small city of Evanston. A Best Colleges rank of #5 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means Northwestern is a great university overall.

There were about 1 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Northwestern in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Northwestern University

16
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
16th Most Popular In CA

Located in the small suburb of Davis, UC Davis is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 13th out of 168 colleges for overall quality in the state of California.

There were approximately 10 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UC Davis in the most recent data year.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of California - Davis

17
Middlebury crest
Middlebury College
Middlebury, VT
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In VT

Located in the distant town of Middlebury, Middlebury is a private not-for-profit college with a small student population. This college ranks 1st out of 11 colleges for overall quality in the state of Vermont.

There were approximately 16 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Middlebury in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Middlebury College

18
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
32 Geography Degrees Awarded
$39,884 Median Starting Salary

BYU is a very large private not-for-profit university located in the city of Provo. This university ranks 1st out of 13 schools for overall quality in the state of Utah.

There were about 32 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at BYU in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the geography program state that they receive average early career income of $39,884.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Brigham Young University - Provo

19
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
50 Geography Degrees Awarded
$39,114 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Austin, UT Austin is a public university with a fairly large student population. A Best Colleges rank of #36 out of 2,217 schools nationwide means UT Austin is a great university overall.

There were about 50 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UT Austin in the most recent year we have data available. Graduates who receive their degree from the geography program make around $39,114 for their early career.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from The University of Texas at Austin

20
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
49 Geography Degrees Awarded
$32,755 Median Starting Salary

Located in the large city of Minneapolis, UMN Twin Cities is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 1st out of 52 schools for overall quality in the state of Minnesota.

There were roughly 49 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UMN Twin Cities in the most recent year we have data available. Students who receive their degree from the geography program make an average of $32,755 in the first couple years of their career.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

21
Colgate crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY
Bachelor's Degree Highest Degree Type
15th Most Popular In NY
65.0% Growth in Graduates

Colgate is a small private not-for-profit university located in the distant town of Hamilton. This university ranks 5th out of 142 colleges for overall quality in the state of New York.

There were approximately 20 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Colgate in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Colgate University

22
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
2nd Most Popular In CT
51 Geography Degrees Awarded

Located in the suburb of Storrs, UCONN is a public university with a very large student population. This university ranks 2nd out of 28 colleges for overall quality in the state of Connecticut.

There were about 51 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UCONN in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Connecticut

23
Virginia Tech crest
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA
Master's Degree Highest Degree Type
54 Geography Degrees Awarded
$33,269 Median Starting Salary

Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Tech is a public school with a very large student population. This school ranks 2nd out of 63 colleges for overall quality in the state of Virginia.

There were approximately 54 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at Virginia Tech in the most recent data year. Students who graduate with their degree from the geography program state that they receive average early career earnings of $33,269.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from Virginia Tech

24
Doctor's Degree Highest Degree Type
1st Most Popular In GA
63 Geography Degrees Awarded

Located in the city of Athens, UGA is a public university with a fairly large student population. This university ranks 3rd out of 68 schools for overall quality in the state of Georgia.

There were roughly 63 geography & cartography students who graduated with this degree at UGA in the most recent year we have data available.

More information about a degree in geography & cartography from University of Georgia

Rest of the Top Best Geography & Cartography Schools

26
JMU crest
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
27
Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
28
29
30
31
32
U of U crest
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

33

34

Additional Noteworthy Schools

Here are some additional great schools for Geography & Cartography students that almost earned our Best Geography & Cartography Schools award.

RankCollegeLocation
35Bucknell UniversityLewisburg, PA
36Arizona State University - TempeTempe, AZ
37California State University - Long BeachLong Beach, CA
38University of Missouri - ColumbiaColumbia, MO
39Villanova UniversityVillanova, PA
40University of OregonEugene, OR
41Miami University - OxfordOxford, OH
42Boston UniversityBoston, MA
43University of KansasLawrence, KS
44University of IowaIowa City, IA
45Texas Christian UniversityFort Worth, TX
46University of DelawareNewark, DE

Geography & Cartography by Region

View the Best Geography & Cartography Schools for a specific region near you.

Region
Southeast
New England
Rocky Mountains
Plains States
Middle Atlantic
Far Western US
Southwest
Other U.S. Territories
Great Lakes

View All Rankings >

Geography & Cartography is one of 13 different types of Social Sciences programs to choose from.

Geography Concentrations

MajorAnnual Graduates
Geography4,439
Geographic Information Science3,543
Other Geography299

View All Geography Focus Areas >

Related MajorAnnual Graduates
Economics47,809
Political Science & Government47,686
Sociology35,816
General Social Sciences17,338
International Relations & National Security13,958
Anthropology11,105
Other Social Sciences2,116
Urban Studies1,453
Sociology & Anthropology520
Archeology333

View All Geography Related Majors >

Notes and References

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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