2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the The Plains States Region
[Geography & Cartography](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 43 schools to find the best return on investment for geography & cartography students.
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2026 Best Value Geography & Cartography Schools in the The Plains States 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
Northwest Missouri State University earned the #1 spot for value among geography & cartography schools in the The Plains States Region. Northwest Missouri State University is a large public school located in the town of Maryville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,611, with out-of-state students paying around $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. Set against $23,585 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #2 makes Park University one of the best values for geography & cartography. Located in the suburb of Parkville, Park University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $12,116 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $22,112 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Park University generally make around $58,786. That is a strong return on a $22,112 median debt.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $20,500 in student loans. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $38,019 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes Kansas State University one of the best values for geography & cartography. Kansas State University is a very large public school located in the city of Manhattan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,221, while out-of-state students pay about $28,568. Students borrow a median of $23,546 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Kansas State University generally make around $51,543. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.
Missouri State University Springfield is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geography & cartography, landing the #5 spot this year. Set in the city of Springfield, Missouri State University Springfield is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,502, compared with $18,770 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,300 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Soon after graduation, geography & cartography degree recipients from Missouri State University Springfield generally make around $46,503. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Minnesota State University Mankato landed the #6 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Located in the city of Mankato, Minnesota State University Mankato is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $9,572 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,942. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $25,260. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $45,482. Set against $25,260 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Minnesota State University Mankato admits about 88% of applicants.
Pittsburg State University placed #7 among the best values for geography & cartography. Set in the town of Pittsburg, Pittsburg State University is a moderately-sized public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,400, while out-of-state students pay about $19,744. Students borrow a median of $22,669 to complete the geography & cartography program here. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $50,003. That is a strong return on a $22,669 median debt. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Missouri Columbia landed the #8 spot for geography & cartography value this year. Set in the city of Columbia, University Of Missouri Columbia is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,837 in tuition and fees, compared with $36,056 for out-of-state students. Geography & Cartography graduates carry a median of $21,000 in student loans. Early-career geography & cartography graduates make about $38,726. Set against $21,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Missouri Columbia admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of Iowa ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value geography & cartography schools. Set in the city of Iowa City, University Of Iowa is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,283, compared with $33,371 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geography & cartography graduates is $23,904. Geography & Cartography graduates of University Of Iowa earn a median of $45,566 early in their careers. Set against $23,904 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 84% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 43 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 6 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.
