2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
19
Ranked Colleges
494
Degrees Awarded
$13,800
Avg Net Price*
When pursuing a degree in today’s world, students have many different options to choose from. Our mission at College Factual is to arm you with as much information as we can to help you make that decision. Our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking is one tool we have developed to help in this regard.
Geography & Cartography is the 110th most popular major in the country with 8,526 degrees awarded in 2020-2021. In 2019-2020, geography and cartography graduates who were awarded their degree in 2017-2019, earned an average of $38,604 and had an average of $22,522 in loans still to pay off.
Across the Plains States region, there were 494 geography and cartography graduates with average earnings and debt of $36,544 and $20,546 respectively.
For this year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” ranking, we looked at 19 colleges that offer a degree in geography and cartography. The schools that top this list are recognized because they have great geography and cartography programs and cost less that schools of similar quality.
To come up with these rankings, we looked at factors such as the cost to attend the school after aid is awarded and overall quality of the geography and cartography program at the school. Check out our ranking methodology for more information.
More Ways to Rank Geography & Cartography Schools
When choosing the right school for you, it’s important to arm yourself with all the facts you can. To that end, we’ve created a number of major-specific rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k” list to help you make the college decision.
In addition to our rankings, you can take two colleges and compare them based on the criteria that matters most to you in our unique tool, College Combat. Test it out by comparing your favorite schools against others you are considering, or bookmark the tool so you can experiment with it later.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $30-$48k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Minnesota - Twin Cities landed the #1 spot on the list. UMN Twin Cities is a public institution located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school has a large population, and it awarded 56 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UMN Twin Cities also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #1. The estimated yearly cost for UMN Twin Cities is $8,609 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 93%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at University of Minnesota - Twin Cities
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. University of Missouri - Columbia is a large school located in Columbia, Missouri that handed out 34 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Mizzou not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #3 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $11,386 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 89%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.5%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - Columbia Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Missouri State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Northwest is a medium-sized public school situated in Maryville, Missouri. It awarded 32 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Northwest also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #9. The estimated yearly cost for Northwest is $10,608 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Northwest Missouri State University
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. Cedar Falls, Iowa is the setting for this medium-sized institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 17 students in 2020-2021.
UNI did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #6 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $13,175 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.8%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full University of Northern Iowa Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of North Dakota landed the #5 spot on the list. University of North Dakota is located in Grand Forks, North Dakota and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 10 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, UND has also earned the #10 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for University of North Dakota is $13,151 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.8%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of North Dakota Geography & Cartography Report
Park University ranked #6 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Park University is a medium-sized private not-for-profit school situated in Parkville, Missouri. It awarded 42 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Park University not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #4 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $14,285 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Park University.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Park University
Macalester College ranked #7 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Paul, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 15 students in 2020-2021.
Macalester not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #5 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Macalester is $10,543 for plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a undergrad student-to-faculty ratio of 10 to 1, it’s easy to see that the school is committed to helping their undergraduates succeed. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 90%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 0.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Macalester Geography & Cartography Report
University of Iowa ranked #8 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Iowa is a public institution located in Iowa City, Iowa. The school has a large population, and it awarded 16 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa also took the #2 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,508 for plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Iowa.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 88%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Iowa Geography & Cartography Report
Gustavus Adolphus College ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Peter, Minnesota is the setting for this small institution of higher learning. The private not-for-profit school handed out ’s geography degrees to 10 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k list, Gustavus Adolphus has also earned the #14 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus is $16,445 for plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
With a freshman retention rate of 88%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Gustavus Adolphus
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #10 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Located in Mankato, Minnesota, this fairly large public school awarded 22 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Minnesota State Mankato also took the #13 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State University - Mankato is $12,263 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Minnesota State Mankato
Saint Cloud State University ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Saint Cloud State University is a fairly large school located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota that handed out 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
St. Cloud State University did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #16 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $10,825 for plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.6% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at St. Cloud State University
With a ranking of #12, University of Kansas did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. KU is located in Lawrence, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
KU not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #8 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend KU is $16,288 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.3%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at KU
University of Nebraska - Lincoln landed the #13 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking. UNL is located in Lincoln, Nebraska and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UNL also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #15. It costs about $13,453 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UNL.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 2.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%. The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 85%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year.
Full UNL Geography & Cartography Report
University of Nebraska at Omaha did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #14. University of Nebraska at Omaha is located in Omaha, Nebraska and, has a fairly large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 7 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
UNOMAHA not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #19 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $11,294 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend University of Nebraska at Omaha.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.0%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UNOMAHA
South Dakota State University ranked #15 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. This fairly large school is located in Brookings, South Dakota, and it awarded 25 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #7. The yearly cost to attend South Dakota State is $14,846 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State University Geography & Cartography Report
University of Missouri - Kansas City ranked #16 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. UMKC is a fairly large school located in Kansas City, Missouri that handed out 20 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UMKC also took the #17 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for UMKC is $13,751 for plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full University of Missouri - Kansas City Geography & Cartography Report
Kansas State University ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Kansas State University is located in Manhattan, Kansas and, has a large student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 20 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
K -State also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #11. The yearly cost to attend Kansas State University is $14,653 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 3.7% is a good sign that students have an easier time paying off their loans than they might at other schools. For comparison, the national default rate is 10.1%.
Full Kansas State University Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #18, Missouri State University - Springfield did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k list. Missouri State University - Springfield is a large school located in Springfield, Missouri that handed out 21 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Missouri State, the school also landed the #18 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $13,144 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $30-$48k.
The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.9%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State University - Springfield Geography & Cartography Report
University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $30-$48k ranking, coming in at #19. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UST MN also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #12. It costs about $27,782 for plains states region geography students whose families make $30-$48k per year to attend UST MN.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 87%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 1.4%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UST MN Geography & Cartography Report
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Notes and References
References
- 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).
- Information about the national average student loan default rate is from the U.S. Department of Education and refers to data about the 2016 borrower cohort tracking period for which the cohort default rate (CDR) was 10.1%.
Read more about our data sources and methodologies
- *Average salary, average net price, and average tuition and fees are for the top schools only.
- Some schools otherwise deserving of recognition may have been removed from this ranking in the event that new data identified post-publication warranted it, or at the request of the school.
Credits
- Credit for the banner image above goes to Couleur.
