2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Great Lakes Region

1

Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University earned the #1 spot for value among geography & cartography schools in the Great Lakes Region. Located in the city of Terre Haute, Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, while out-of-state students pay about $22,322. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,582 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $53,952. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Indiana State University admits about 81% of applicants.

2

Western Illinois University
Macomb, IL

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Western Illinois University earned it the #2 place for geography & cartography. Set in the town of Macomb, Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $27,639. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Western Illinois University generally make around $47,926. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 71%.

3

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL

A rank of #3 makes Northern Illinois University one of the best values for geography & cartography. Northern Illinois University is a large public school located in the suburb of Dekalb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,060. Students borrow a median of $25,209 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $52,308. That is a strong return on a $25,209 median debt. Roughly 70% of applicants are accepted.

4

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign
Champaign, IL

Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign, which ranked #4. University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public school located in the city of Champaign. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, compared with $40,096 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $42,214. Set against $25,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.

5

University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Whitewater, WI

A rank of #5 makes University Of Wisconsin Whitewater one of the best values for geography & cartography. University Of Wisconsin Whitewater is a large public school located in the town of Whitewater. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,616, with out-of-state students paying around $18,716. Students borrow a median of $23,983 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Whitewater earn a median of $40,051 early in their careers. Set against $23,983 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

6

University Of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, WI

University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #6 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $58,681. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

7

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI

University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire landed the #7 spot for geography & cartography value this year. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. In-state tuition and fees average $9,642, while out-of-state students pay about $19,228. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,212 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $40,048. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.

8

Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MI

Grand Valley State University placed #8 among the best values for geography & cartography. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,502, with out-of-state students paying around $21,894. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.

9

Illinois State University
Normal, IL

Illinois State University earned the #9 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Illinois State University is a very large public school located in the suburb of Normal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,410, with out-of-state students paying around $26,058. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $15,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Illinois State University generally make around $34,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Illinois State University admits about 88% of applicants.

10

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI

Michigan State University earned the #10 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $18,079, with out-of-state students paying around $44,850. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,213 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Michigan State University generally make around $54,166. Set against $25,213 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.

11

Kent State University At Kent
Kent, OH

Kent State University At Kent earned the #11 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,220, with out-of-state students paying around $21,575. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,174 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $42,015. That is a strong return on a $25,174 median debt. The acceptance rate is 86%.

12

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus
Cincinnati, OH

University Of Cincinnati Main Campus came in at #12 for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Cincinnati, University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $23,530 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Set against $23,530 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 85% of applicants are accepted.

13

Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI

Calvin College ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $22,707. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,220. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.

14

Miami University Oxford
Oxford, OH

Miami University Oxford placed #14 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the town of Oxford, Miami University Oxford is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $17,519 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,965. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,177 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $49,700. That is a strong return on a $24,177 median debt. The acceptance rate is 75%.

15

Depaul University
Chicago, IL

Depaul University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Chicago, Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $45,405 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $23,412 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Depaul University generally make around $47,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 76%.