2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Bachelor’s Degree Schools
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The schools below stand out for delivering a strong geography & cartography education at a price that pays off.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 535 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography & cartography students.
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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the United States
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geography & cartography degrees they offer, see the list below.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
For return on investment in geography & cartography, no school beat California State University Los Angeles this year. California State University Los Angeles is a very large public school located in the city of Los Angeles. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,164, with out-of-state students paying around $19,764. Students borrow a median of $14,430 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography 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. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.
California State University Fullerton came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. 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, while out-of-state students pay about $20,070. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,525. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Fullerton earn a median of $26,040 early in their careers. Set against $15,525 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. California State University Fullerton admits about 90% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at California State University Northridge, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography 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.
California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #4 spot this year. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. In-state tuition and fees average $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,000. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at California State University Sacramento, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Sacramento, California State University Sacramento is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,018, with out-of-state students paying around $20,618. Students borrow a median of $15,881 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State University Sacramento earn a median of $48,227 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $15,881 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,410, with out-of-state students paying around $17,324. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of South Florida Main Campus earn a median of $39,259 early in their careers. Set against $21,829 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras placed #7 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras is a large public school located in the city of San Juan. In-state tuition and fees average $5,324. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $5,673. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Puerto Rico Rio Piedras generally make around $24,881. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 55% of applicants are accepted.
California State Polytechnic University Pomona earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. California State Polytechnic University Pomona is a very large public school located in the suburb of Pomona. In-state tuition and fees average $7,781, while out-of-state students pay about $20,381. Students borrow a median of $15,826 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of California State Polytechnic University Pomona earn a median of $35,426 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State Polytechnic University Pomona admits about 75% of applicants.
Florida State University placed #9 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill earned the #10 position for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,994, while out-of-state students pay about $41,203. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $42,454. Set against $15,117 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 15%.
Weber State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $19,176 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Weber State University earn a median of $53,920 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earned the #12 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,661 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,012. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,851 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $25,975 early in their careers. Set against $22,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, with out-of-state students paying around $22,249. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $16,750 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of The University Of Texas At San Antonio earn a median of $49,955 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The University Of Texas At San Antonio admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus earned the #14 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,973, while out-of-state students pay about $43,209. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $17,504. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $42,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 39%.
University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #15 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $37,398. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 33%.
University Of Utah ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $12,373 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.
University Of North Alabama placed #17 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of North Alabama is a large public school located in the city of Florence. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,320. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles earned the #18 position for value in geography & cartography 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, while out-of-state students pay about $46,121. Students borrow a median of $13,969 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography 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. University Of California Los Angeles admits about 9% of applicants.
San Francisco State University placed #19 among the best values for geography & cartography. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $24,875. Set against $13,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Sonoma State University came in at #20 for value in geography & cartography this year. Sonoma State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the suburb of Rohnert Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,624, while out-of-state students pay about $21,224. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $11,000 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $40,614. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Arizona State University earned the #21 position for value in geography & cartography 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. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $28,500. Geography & Cartography graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,267 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
Indiana State University placed #22 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Illinois University earned the #23 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the suburb of Dekalb, Northern Illinois University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,060 in tuition and fees. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,209 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northern Illinois University generally make around $52,308. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.
West Virginia University placed #24 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,104, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $34,435. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Georgia earned the #25 position for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Georgia is a very large public school located in the city of Athens. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geography & cartography this year:
Other Geography & Cartography Degree Levels
Explore the best-value geography & cartography schools at other degree levels:
View All Geography & Cartography Rankings >
Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 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 · 535 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 111 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.
