[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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong geographic information science education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 6 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
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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 Radford University 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, while out-of-state students pay about $25,633. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,271. Set against $26,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Old Dominion University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Set in the city of Norfolk, Old Dominion University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,750, compared with $33,780 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,001 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Old Dominion University earn a median of $57,131 early in their careers. Set against $26,001 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at George Mason University earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Mary Washington came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public school located in the suburb of Fredericksburg. Students from in state pay about $14,905 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,500. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Mary Washington generally make around $43,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Mary Washington admits about 80% of applicants.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University came in at #5 on our 2027 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,948 in tuition and fees, compared with $37,764 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University generally make around $39,328. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Liberty University landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. Liberty University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Lynchburg. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,173. Students borrow a median of $27,414 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Liberty University earn a median of $45,877 early in their careers. Set against $27,414 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 99%.
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 · 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.
