2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the Southwest Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geography & cartography, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools
Our analysis ranked Central New Mexico Community College the best value for a degree in geography & cartography in the Southwest Region. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $2,060, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Students borrow a median of $10,112 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Geography & Cartography graduates of Central New Mexico Community College earn a median of $34,751 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,112 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Austin Community College District earned it the #2 place for geography & cartography. Austin Community College District is a very large public school located in the city of Austin. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Students borrow a median of $14,519 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Austin Community College District generally make around $44,895. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Lone Star College System, which ranked #3. Set in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,664, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
The University Of Texas At San Antonio came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of San Antonio, The University Of Texas At San Antonio is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $9,326, compared with $22,249 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $16,750. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from The University Of Texas At San Antonio generally make around $49,955. That is a strong return on a $16,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
Students looking for strong value in geography & cartography will find it at Arizona Western College, which ranked #5. Located in the city of Yuma, Arizona Western College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,060, compared with $9,870 for out-of-state students. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Arizona Western College generally make around $44,895.
Arizona State University ranked #6 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $24,096 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $48,740. Set against $24,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of North Texas ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. University Of North Texas is a very large public school located in the city of Denton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, while out-of-state students pay about $21,149. Students borrow a median of $20,994 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from University Of North Texas generally make around $39,960. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Northern Arizona University earned the #8 position for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $21,645. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #9 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the town of Nacogdoches, Stephen F Austin State University is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,128, with out-of-state students paying around $20,968. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $24,759. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $42,197. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Stephen F Austin State University admits about 94% of applicants.
University Of Arizona ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Located in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $13,573, with out-of-state students paying around $39,903. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $28,250 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $49,815. That is a strong return on a $28,250 median debt. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the town of Huntsville, Sam Houston State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, with out-of-state students paying around $19,068. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,156. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Sam Houston State University generally make around $35,936. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos landed the #12 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public school located in the city of San Marcos. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $22,930. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $24,021. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $44,590. Set against $24,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus came in at #13 for value in geography & cartography this year. Located in the suburb of Norman, University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,797, compared with $27,377 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $27,250 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $58,084. Set against $27,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
University Of New Mexico Main Campus placed #14 among the best values for geography & cartography. University Of New Mexico Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Albuquerque. Students from in state pay about $10,140 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,060 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,705 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $32,096. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 95%.
The University Of Texas At Austin placed #15 among the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the city of Austin, The University Of Texas At Austin is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,688, with out-of-state students paying around $44,908. Students borrow a median of $21,875 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $36,878. That is a strong return on a $21,875 median debt. Roughly 27% of applicants are accepted.
Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 57 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 14 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.
[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.
