[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geographic information science education at a price that pays off.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 6 schools to find the best return on investment for geographic information science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
For return on investment in geographic information science, no school beat Columbus State Community College this year. Located in the city of Columbus, Columbus State Community College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,488, while out-of-state students pay about $11,224. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $9,041 in student loans. Median earnings reach $39,435 ten years out. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Wright State University Main Campus, which ranked #2. Located in the suburb of Dayton, Wright State University Main Campus is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,991 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,691. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,836. Geographic Information Science graduates of Wright State University Main Campus earn a median of $49,077 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,836 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Kent State University At Kent came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,174. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,015. Set against $25,174 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Ohio University Main Campus came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the town of Athens, Ohio University Main Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $14,158 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $24,838. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $33,199. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. Ohio University Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Cincinnati Main Campus, which ranked #5. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Cincinnati Main Campus generally make around $58,659. That is a strong return on a $23,530 median debt. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.
Miami University Oxford ranked #6 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Miami University Oxford earn a median of $49,700 early in their careers. Set against $24,177 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Miami University Oxford admits about 75% of applicants.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 6 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
