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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

21 Colleges in the United States
$21,880 Avg Student Debt
$71,454 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Badge [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 66 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geography & cartography students.

What’s on this page:

2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region

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

1

For return on investment in geography & cartography, no school beat University Of Maryland College Park this year. University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public school located in the suburb of College Park. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Students borrow a median of $24,441 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $40,913 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,441 median debt. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

2
Towson University crest
Towson University
Towson, MD

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Towson University earned it the #2 place for geography & cartography. Towson University is a very large public school located in the city of Towson. In-state tuition and fees average $11,728, with out-of-state students paying around $29,820. Students borrow a median of $11,000 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Towson University earn a median of $50,370 early in their careers. Set against $11,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Towson University admits about 82% of applicants.

3

Johns Hopkins University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $75,503. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 6%.

4
Salisbury University crest
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD

Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Salisbury University, which ranked #4. Located in the suburb of Salisbury, Salisbury University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,084, while out-of-state students pay about $22,174. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Salisbury University earn a median of $25,255 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Salisbury University admits about 88% of applicants.

5

University Of Maryland Baltimore County came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public school located in the suburb of Baltimore. Students from in state pay about $13,256 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $21,331. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $49,179. That is a strong return on a $21,331 median debt. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

6

Pennsylvania Western University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the town of California, Pennsylvania Western University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,436, with out-of-state students paying around $16,054. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $47,295. Pennsylvania Western University admits about 94% of applicants.

7

Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the town of Slippery Rock, Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,568, with out-of-state students paying around $14,676. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $26,330 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,294. Set against $26,330 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania admits about 72% of applicants.

8

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #8 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. Students from in state pay about $15,356 in tuition and fees. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Roughly 91% of applicants are accepted.

9

University At Buffalo came in at #9 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Buffalo, University At Buffalo is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,936, compared with $31,536 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,255 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of University At Buffalo earn a median of $29,390 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University At Buffalo admits about 74% of applicants.

10

Suny At Binghamton placed #10 among the best values for geography & cartography. Suny At Binghamton is a very large public school located in the suburb of Vestal. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,567, with out-of-state students paying around $30,447. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $20,596. Geography & Cartography graduates of Suny At Binghamton earn a median of $40,434 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $20,596 median debt. Roughly 39% of applicants are accepted.

11
Rowan University crest
Rowan University
Glassboro, NJ

Rowan University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the suburb of Glassboro, Rowan University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $16,574, with out-of-state students paying around $26,932. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,250. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Rowan University generally make around $44,380. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rowan University admits about 78% of applicants.

12

Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania landed the #12 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Shippensburg University Of Pennsylvania is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Shippensburg. Students from in state pay about $13,570 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $15,824. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $22,750 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,439. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

13
Colgate University crest
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY

Colgate University placed #13 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the rural area of Hamilton, Colgate University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $70,306. Students borrow a median of $16,286 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Colgate University generally make around $52,924. That is a strong return on a $16,286 median debt. Roughly 14% of applicants are accepted.

14
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA

University Of Pennsylvania landed the #14 spot for geography & cartography value this year. University Of Pennsylvania is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Philadelphia. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $68,686. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $16,155 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Pennsylvania generally make around $99,682. That is a strong return on a $16,155 median debt. The acceptance rate is 5%.

15
Temple University crest
Temple University
Philadelphia, PA

Temple University placed #15 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Temple University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $23,005, with out-of-state students paying around $38,805. Students borrow a median of $26,259 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Temple University generally make around $48,154. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Temple University admits about 80% of applicants.

16

University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus landed the #16 spot for geography & cartography value this year. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. In-state tuition and fees average $21,926, with out-of-state students paying around $41,430. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,000. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus generally make around $40,962. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh Campus admits about 58% of applicants.

17

Pennsylvania State University Main Campus ranked #17 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $20,644 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $41,790. Median earnings reach $63,435 ten years out. Pennsylvania State University Main Campus admits about 61% of applicants.

18

George Washington University came in at #18 for value in geography & cartography this year. George Washington University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Washington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $67,710. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $25,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from George Washington University generally make around $52,883. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 47%.

19
Syracuse University crest
Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY

Syracuse University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $65,528. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Syracuse University generally make around $54,785. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Syracuse University admits about 46% of applicants.

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Notes and References

This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).

Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 66 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 21 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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