2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Master’s Degree Schools
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
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
California State University Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools in the United States. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $15,000. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $73,531. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #2. Located in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $5,776, with out-of-state students paying around $18,658. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of The University Of West Florida earn a median of $47,141 early in their careers. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 58% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus earned it the #3 place for geography & cartography. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Tacoma. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $16,151. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $67,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 82%.
Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,162 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,250. Geography & Cartography graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,250 median debt. The acceptance rate is 96%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #5 place for geography & cartography. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Atlanta. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,323 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, with out-of-state students paying around $21,683. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $26,707. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $53,587. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. The acceptance rate is 24%.
University Of Utah ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $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 California Los Angeles placed #8 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, compared with $46,121 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $13,969 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Portland State University earned the #9 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, with out-of-state students paying around $29,136. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $67,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
Western Illinois University ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. 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. Western Illinois University admits about 71% of applicants.
University Of Georgia came in at #11 for value in geography & cartography this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $22,133. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,801. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. Roughly 38% of applicants are accepted.
Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $24,096. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $55,326. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northern Arizona University ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,619 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $20,044. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Northwest Missouri State University ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $10,611 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $23,585. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Northwest Missouri State University generally make around $42,939. That is a strong return on a $23,585 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Maryland College Park ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,809, compared with $41,186 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $24,441. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $40,913. Set against $24,441 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 45%.
San Diego State University earned the #16 position for value in geography & cartography this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,999 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,648. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. The acceptance rate is 36%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison came in at #17 for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $74,365 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.
Texas State University San Marcos placed #18 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Students borrow a median of $24,021 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography 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.
Appalachian State University placed #19 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the town of Boone, Appalachian State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $7,579 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $25,212. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $17,750. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $41,648. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
University Of Arizona came in at #20 for value in geography & cartography this year. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Arizona earn a median of $56,801 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. University Of Arizona admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities landed the #21 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, compared with $38,362 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,019. That is a strong return on a $20,500 median debt. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #22 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $13,426 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Johns Hopkins University generally make around $75,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
George Mason University came in at #23 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Students borrow a median of $22,000 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,568. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. George Mason University admits about 88% of applicants.
University Of Maryland Baltimore County landed the #24 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Maryland Baltimore County earn a median of $49,179 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Unity College landed the #25 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the rural area of New Gloucester, Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,640. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $27,083. Geography & Cartography graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Rest of the Top 34 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
These schools also delivered strong value for geography & cartography this year:
Other Geography & Cartography Degree Levels
Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geography & Cartography rankings across degree levels:
View All Geography & Cartography Rankings >
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 32 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.
