[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) 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 58 schools to find the best return on investment for geographic information science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked California State University Northridge the best value for a degree in geographic information science in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of California State University Northridge earn a median of $27,002 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes California State University Long Beach one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $15,000. Geographic Information Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
University Of California Los Angeles is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #4. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. 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 geographic information science graduates is $26,707. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $35,608. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes Portland State University one of the best values for geographic information science. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. In-state tuition and fees average $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Portland State University generally make around $35,330. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Weber State University ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,545. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. That is a strong return on a $19,176 median debt.
San Francisco State University earned the #7 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $24,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,768 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #8 position for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public school located in the city of Denver. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,468. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $39,104 early in their careers. Set against $22,468 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #9 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,504 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Washington Seattle Campus earn a median of $42,489 early in their careers. Set against $17,504 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Alabama landed the #10 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.
University Of Georgia came in at #11 for value in geographic information science this year. 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. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,133. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $26,801. Set against $22,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign placed #12 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $42,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University earned the #13 position for value in geographic information science this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $17,412. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $27,355. Set against $17,412 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 98% of applicants are accepted.
San Diego State University placed #14 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,728 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $38,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.
Arizona State University placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $28,500. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,267. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Maryland College Park came in at #16 for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,441. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $40,913 early in their careers. Set against $24,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
Radford University earned the #17 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the town of Radford, Radford University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,548, with out-of-state students paying around $25,633. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Radford University generally make around $47,271. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Radford University admits about 90% of applicants.
Brigham Young University Provo landed the #18 spot for geographic information science value this year. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,360. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $40,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus earned the #19 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, while out-of-state students pay about $27,377. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus generally make around $58,084. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University placed #20 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Students borrow a median of $24,759 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara placed #21 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $47,332. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $13,750. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $37,398. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte landed the #22 spot for geographic information science value this year. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Students from in state pay about $7,239 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,492. Students borrow a median of $23,954 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $42,210 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $23,954 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas earned the #23 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $20,994 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $39,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Kennesaw State University ranked #24 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, compared with $17,736 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $32,500. Geographic Information Science graduates of Kennesaw State University earn a median of $40,020 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 69%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #25 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,705. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of New Mexico Main Campus earn a median of $32,096 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,705 median debt. The acceptance rate is 95%.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geographic information science:
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geographic Information Science rankings across degree levels:
View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 58 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 58 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.
