by our College Data Analytics Team
[Geography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2027 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 7 schools to find the best return on investment for geography students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography degrees they offer, see the list below.
For return on investment in geography, no school beat Austin Community College District this year. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. Students from in state pay about $2,550 in tuition and fees, compared with $10,590 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $44,895. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Stephen F Austin State University earned it the #2 place for geography. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,759 in student loans. Early-career geography graduates make about $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Texas one of the best values for geography. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Geography graduates carry a median of $20,994 in student loans. Geography graduates of University Of North Texas earn a median of $39,960 early in their careers. Set against $20,994 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Sam Houston State University one of the best values for geography. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. In-state tuition and fees average $9,228, while out-of-state students pay about $19,068. Geography graduates carry a median of $25,156 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $35,936. That is a strong return on a $25,156 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography will find it at Texas State University San Marcos, which ranked #5. 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, compared with $22,930 for out-of-state students. Geography graduates carry a median of $24,021 in student loans. Geography graduates of Texas State University San Marcos earn a median of $44,590 early in their careers. 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 #6 spot for geography value this year. Set in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,688 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,908 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the geography program here. Geography graduates of The University Of Texas At Austin earn a median of $36,878 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
Texas A And M University College Station ranked #7 on our 2027 list of the best value geography schools. Located in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public university. 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 geography graduates is $16,479. Soon after graduation, geography degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $54,204. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Texas A And M University College Station admits about 57% of applicants.
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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.