[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 8 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.
Salem State University tops our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools in the New England Region. Set in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,338, compared with $19,531 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Salem State University earn a median of $32,504 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Salem State University admits about 96% of applicants.
Unity College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,640. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $27,083. Geographic Information Science graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Plymouth State University, which ranked #3. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, while out-of-state students pay about $25,566. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,972 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Plymouth State University generally make around $44,487. That is a strong return on a $26,972 median debt. Plymouth State University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Rhode Island is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. University Of Rhode Island is a very large public school located in the suburb of Kingston. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,942, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,432 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Rhode Island generally make around $52,821. That is a strong return on a $23,432 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of Massachusetts Amherst one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $17,772, with out-of-state students paying around $40,449. Students borrow a median of $25,195 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of $53,666 early in their careers. Set against $25,195 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Connecticut came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Connecticut is a very large public school located in the town of Storrs. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, compared with $43,712 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,637 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
Clark University placed #7 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Students borrow a median of $26,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $42,458. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 40% of applicants are accepted.
Tufts University placed #8 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the suburb of Medford, Tufts University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $70,704 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $17,074. Geographic Information Science graduates of Tufts University earn a median of $68,154 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 12% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 8 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
