[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 5 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geographic information science students.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Northern Michigan University earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in Michigan. Set in the town of Marquette, Northern Michigan University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,322, while out-of-state students pay about $19,944. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,608 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $40,508. That is a strong return on a $22,608 median debt. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Eastern Michigan University, which ranked #2. Eastern Michigan University is a large public school located in the suburb of Ypsilanti. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,990. Students borrow a median of $17,425 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Eastern Michigan University earn a median of $41,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,425 median debt. Eastern Michigan University admits about 80% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Allendale, Grand Valley State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $36,367. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Michigan State University is a very large public school located in the city of East Lansing. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 85%.
Calvin College came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Grand Rapids. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,707. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Calvin College generally make around $44,220. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 71%.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
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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 · 5 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
