[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.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 10 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.
For return on investment in geographic information science, no school beat Tarrant County College District this year. Set in the city of Fort Worth, Tarrant County College District is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,863, with out-of-state students paying around $8,370. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $15,148. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $45,158. That is a strong return on a $15,148 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Austin Community College District, which ranked #2. Located in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Collin County Community College District, which ranked #3. Set in the suburb of McKinney, Collin County Community College District is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $2,014 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $6,064. Students borrow a median of $9,716 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Collin County Community College District earn a median of $42,177 early in their careers. Set against $9,716 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #4 makes Lone Star College System one of the best values for geographic information science. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $10,425 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $39,954. 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 University Of North Texas, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,309 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,994 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $39,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Stephen F Austin State University earned the #6 position for value in geographic information science this year. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. 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. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University landed the #7 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,156. Geographic Information Science graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $35,936 early in their careers. Set against $25,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #8 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,021. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,590. That is a strong return on a $24,021 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
Texas Tech University earned the #9 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Lubbock, Texas Tech University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,852, with out-of-state students paying around $24,157. Students borrow a median of $24,271 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Texas Tech University generally make around $50,332. Set against $24,271 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas Tech University admits about 73% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #10 spot for geographic information science value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,995, compared with $40,124 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $16,479. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 10 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 10 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.
