2023 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
19
Ranked Colleges
494
Degrees Awarded
Students have lots of options to chooose from today when trying to decide which college to attend. At College Factual, we’re committed to helping you make that decision by providing information such as that found in our “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking.
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.
This year’s “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” ranking analyzed 19 colleges that offered a degree in geography and cartography. Not only do the schools that top this list have excellent geography and cartography programs, but they also 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.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we’ve developed a number of rankings, including this “Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k” list, to help you choose the best school for you.
We’ve created a tool called College Combat that lets you create your own customized comparisons based on the factors that matter the most to you. Test it out when you get a chance! You may also want to bookmark the link and share it with others who are trying to make the college decision.
Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k
The following schools top our list of the Best Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k.
Top 19 Best Value Colleges for Geography & Cartography (Income $48-$75k) in the Plains States Region
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k 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 not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #1 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,911 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.
With a freshman retention rate of 93%, the school does an excellent job of retaining its undergraduate students. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Missouri - Columbia landed the #2 spot on the list. Columbia, Missouri is the setting for this large institution of higher learning. The public school handed out ’s geography degrees to 34 students in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Mizzou has also earned the #3 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Mizzou is $13,715 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 89%. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.5% 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 University of Missouri - Columbia
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, Northwest Missouri State University landed the #3 spot on the list. Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri and, has a medium-sized student population. In 2020-2021, this school awarded 32 ’s geography degrees to qualified students.
Northwest did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #9 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $12,127 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Northwest.
Full Northwest Geography & Cartography Report
Out of the 19 schools in the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k that were part of this year’s ranking, University of Northern Iowa landed the #4 spot on the list. UNI is a public institution located in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The school has a medium-sized population, and it awarded 17 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
UNI not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #6 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for UNI is $15,287 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.8% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 86%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UNI
You’ll be in good company if you decide to attend Park University. It ranked #5 on our 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Park University is a medium-sized school located in Parkville, Missouri that handed out 42 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Park University also made our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list, coming in at #4. The yearly cost to attend Park University is $14,769 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Park University
University of North Dakota came in at #6 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of North Dakota is a public institution located in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The school has a fairly large population, and it awarded 10 ’s degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at UND, the school also landed the #10 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. It costs about $15,818 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend UND.
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%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at UND
Saint Cloud State University landed the #7 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This fairly large school is located in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and it awarded 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 $13,140 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Saint Cloud State University.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 4.6%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Saint Cloud State University
University of Iowa came in at #8 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. University of Iowa is a large school located in Iowa City, Iowa that handed out 16 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Iowa not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #2 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $18,026 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Iowa.
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 2.2%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Read more about Geography & Cartography at Iowa
Minnesota State University - Mankato ranked #9 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Minnesota State University - Mankato is a fairly large public school situated in Mankato, Minnesota. It awarded 22 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
In addition to being on our plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k list, Minnesota State Mankato has also earned the #13 rank in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend Minnesota State Mankato is $14,995 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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
Gustavus Adolphus College did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #10. Gustavus Adolphus is a small school located in Saint Peter, Minnesota that handed out 10 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at Gustavus Adolphus, the school also landed the #14 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The estimated yearly cost for Gustavus Adolphus College is $20,188 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 88%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.2%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full Gustavus Adolphus College Geography & Cartography Report
University of Kansas ranked #11 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This large school is located in Lawrence, Kansas, and it awarded 20 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
As a testament to the quality of education offered at KU, the school also landed the #8 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend University of Kansas is $18,586 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 86%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 4.3% 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 KU
Kansas State University came in at #12 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. K -State 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 took the #11 spot in our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” ranking. The yearly cost to attend K -State is $16,868 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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 school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 3.7%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at Kansas State University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln came in at #13 in this year’s edition of the Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. This large school is located in Lincoln, Nebraska, and it awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UNL did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #15 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend University of Nebraska - Lincoln is $15,394 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The low undergrad student loan default rate of 2.2% 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%. Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 85%.
Read full report on Geography & Cartography at UNL
University of Nebraska at Omaha landed the #14 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. UNOMAHA 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. The yearly cost to attend UNOMAHA is $13,574 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
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%.
Full University of Nebraska at Omaha Geography & Cartography Report
University of Missouri - Kansas City did quite well in the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking, coming in at #15. Located in Kansas City, Missouri, this fairly large public school awarded 20 diplomas to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
UMKC did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #17 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend UMKC is $15,768 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full UMKC Geography & Cartography Report
South Dakota State University landed the #16 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. South Dakota State is a fairly large school located in Brookings, South Dakota that handed out 25 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
South Dakota State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #7 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for South Dakota State is $18,826 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 2.7%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full South Dakota State Geography & Cartography Report
Macalester College ranked #17 on this year’s Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. Macalester is a small school located in Saint Paul, Minnesota that handed out 15 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
Macalester did well in our major quality rankings, too. It placed #5 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. It costs about $15,953 for Plains States Region Geography students whose families make $48-$75k per year to attend Macalester.
The school has an excellent freshman retention rate of 90%, which means students like the school well enough to return for a second year. 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. The low undergrad student loan default rate of 0.2% 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 Macalester Geography & Cartography Report
Missouri State University - Springfield landed the #18 spot on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k ranking. Located in Springfield, Missouri, this large public school awarded 21 degrees to qualified ’s geography students in 2020-2021.
Missouri State not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #18 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The yearly cost to attend Missouri State University - Springfield is $15,950 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
The undergrad student loan default rate at the school is 3.9%, which is quite low when compared to the national default rate of 10.1%.
Full Missouri State Geography & Cartography Report
With a ranking of #19, University of St Thomas Minnesota did quite well on the 2023 Best Value Geography Schools in the Plains States Region For Those Making $48-$75k list. This medium-sized school is located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and it awarded 7 ’s geography degrees in 2020-2021.
UST MN not only placed well in this ranking. It is also #12 on our “Best Geography & Cartography Schools in the Plains States Region” list. The estimated yearly cost for University of St Thomas Minnesota is $28,771 for plains states region geography students whose families make $48-$75k.
Students who start out at the school are likely to stick around. The freshman retention rate is 87%. The school has an impressive undergrad student loan default rate. It’s only 1.4%, which is much lower than the national rate of 10.1%.
Full University of St Thomas Minnesota 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.
