by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, geographic information science was the 333rd most popular major nationwide with 3,231 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 133 over the prior year, a growth of 4.1%.
This year's Best Geographic Information Science Schools ranking compares 86 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Explore this or one of our many other custom geographic information science rankings further below.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in geographic information science is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Required skills include communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
New students will need to have completed high school or a GED program and each school will have their own minimum GPA and SAT/ACT test requirements. Once you obtain your degree, additional geographic information science certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
There are various different levels of geographic information science degrees. Geographic Information Science programs offered by schools range from a to a , which is the highest geographic information science degree you can get. How long it takes to complete some common geographic information science degree levels is shown below.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to geographic information science, with approximately 50.3% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for geographic information science workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 46.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 19.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 13.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 6.3% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 5.9% |
82.3% of geographic information science workers have at least a bachelor's. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in geographic information science have obtained.
The education level required is different depending on the geographic information science career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your geographic information science degree? Geographic Information Science careers are expected to grow 8.2% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to geographic information science.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 15,000 | 19.0% |
| Geography Professors | 5,400 | 8.0% |
As you might expect, salaries for geographic information science graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for geographic information science graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers geographic information science grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Geography Professors | $88,950 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $68,340 |
With over 493 different geographic information science degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased geographic information science school rankings to help you with this.
One of 2 majors within the Geography & Cartography area of study, Geographic Information Science has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Geography | 4,954 |
| Other Geography | 341 |
