2027 Best Value Geography Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geography education at a price that pays off.
College Factual analyzed 76 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geography schools.
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2027 Best Value Geography Schools in the United States
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography Schools
California State University Los Angeles earned the #1 spot for value among geography schools in the United States. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. In-state tuition and fees average $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,430. Geography graduates of California State University Los Angeles earn a median of $33,727 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $14,430 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
California State University Northridge came in at #2 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $7,458 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $8,250. Early-career geography graduates make about $27,002. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. California State University Northridge admits about 93% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes California State University Fullerton one of the best values for geography. California State University Fullerton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Fullerton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,470, with out-of-state students paying around $20,070. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,525 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $26,040. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Sacramento came in at #4 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from California State University Sacramento generally make around $48,227. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at University Of South Florida Main Campus, which ranked #5. University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Tampa. Students from in state pay about $6,410 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Geography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $39,259 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 43%.
California State University Long Beach landed the #6 spot for geography value this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Geography graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Geography graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #7 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Chapel Hill, University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,117. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $42,454. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #8 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $36,776 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,969 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the suburb of Pomona, California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,781, with out-of-state students paying around $20,381. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $15,826. Early-career geography graduates make about $35,426. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Portland State University came in at #10 for value in geography this year. Portland State University is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Geography graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Geography graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $35,330 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.
Florida State University came in at #11 for value in geography this year. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University earned the #12 position for value in geography this year. Set in the suburb of Rohnert Park, Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,624, with out-of-state students paying around $21,224. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $40,614. That is a strong return on a $11,000 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Weber State University came in at #13 for value in geography this year. Weber State University is a very large public school located in the city of Ogden. Students from in state pay about $6,557 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Students borrow a median of $19,176 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
San Francisco State University landed the #14 spot for geography value this year. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. In-state tuition and fees average $7,846, while out-of-state students pay about $20,446. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $13,768. Geography graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $24,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,768 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras ranked #15 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the city of San Juan, University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Students borrow a median of $5,673 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $24,881. That is a strong return on a $5,673 median debt. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #16 position for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Students borrow a median of $17,504 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $65,681. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver landed the #17 spot for geography value this year. Set in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,383, while out-of-state students pay about $29,391. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $22,468. Geography graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $39,104 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 75% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #18 among the best values for geography. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $22,133 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of University Of Georgia earn a median of $26,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign came in at #19 for value in geography this year. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,267, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign generally make around $57,461. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Chico came in at #20 for value in geography this year. California State University Chico is a large public school located in the city of Chico. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,472, compared with $21,072 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $19,250 in student loans. Geography graduates of California State University Chico earn a median of $40,380 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Chico admits about 93% of applicants.
University Of North Alabama came in at #21 for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,120, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the geography program here. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Humboldt State University came in at #22 for value in geography this year. Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Arcata. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Geography graduates carry a median of $17,412 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $27,355. That is a strong return on a $17,412 median debt. The acceptance rate is 98%.
San Diego State University ranked #23 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,999. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $38,648. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. San Diego State University admits about 36% of applicants.
Arizona State University came in at #24 for value in geography this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Geography graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Geography graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,267 early in their careers. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Hawaii At Hilo placed #25 among the best values for geography. University Of Hawaii At Hilo is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Hilo. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,838, compared with $20,798 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,500 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $30,293. Set against $21,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Hawaii At Hilo admits about 61% of applicants.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geography Schools
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geography:
Other Geography Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geography schools at other degree levels:
View All Geography Rankings >
Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 76 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 76 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.
