by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 13 schools to build this 2027 ranking of the best value geography schools.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among geography schools in the Southwest Region. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Geography graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.
Central New Mexico Community College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography, landing the #2 spot this year. Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Geography graduates carry a median of $10,112 in student loans. Geography graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Northern Arizona University, which ranked #3. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
A rank of #4 makes Arizona State University one of the best values for geography. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,096 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Arizona State University generally make around $48,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Stephen F Austin State University, which ranked #5. Set in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,128, while out-of-state students pay about $20,968. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Geography graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. Set against $24,759 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus landed the #6 spot for geography value this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,797 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $27,377. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $58,084. That is a strong return on a $27,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus earned the #7 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Albuquerque, University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,140, with out-of-state students paying around $33,060. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $14,705. Early-career geography graduates make about $32,096. Set against $14,705 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 95% of applicants are accepted.
University Of North Texas placed #8 among the best values for geography. Located in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $20,994. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $39,960. Set against $20,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of North Texas admits about 72% of applicants.
Sam Houston State University ranked #9 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Typical student debt for geography graduates is $25,156. Early-career geography graduates make about $35,936. Set against $25,156 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona earned the #10 position for value in geography this year. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Geography graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from University Of Arizona generally make around $49,815. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #11 spot for geography value this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,450 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,021 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,590. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Austin landed the #12 spot for geography value this year. The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, while out-of-state students pay about $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the geography program here. Early-career geography graduates make about $36,878. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station landed the #13 spot for geography value this year. Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public school located in the city of College Station. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Geography graduates carry a median of $16,479 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $16,479 median debt. The acceptance rate is 57%.
This list is compiled 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 · 13 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 13 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.