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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools

50 Colleges in the United States
$20,977 Avg Student Debt
$59,283 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Badge [Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.

For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 327 schools to find the best return on investment for geographic information science students.

What’s on this page:

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Finding the Best Value Geographic Information Science School for You

The right geographic information science school can pay off for years to come. That is why we developed our Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.

See how we build our rankings

One Size Does Not Fit All

We offer a number of rankings, including this Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools list, to help you decide. More interested in schools in a specific area of the country? Filter this list by region or state.

Associate's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
Master's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
Doctorate Degrees in Geographic Information Science

To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.

Learn more about our methodology

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2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools in the United States

If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.

Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools

1
American River College crest
American River College
Sacramento, CA

American River College tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in the United States. American River College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Sacramento. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,105. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from American River College generally make around $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at San Diego Mesa College earned it the #2 place for geographic information science. San Diego Mesa College is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,146, while out-of-state students pay about $10,002. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $6,999. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.

3

Pasadena City College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Pasadena City College is a very large public school located in the city of Pasadena. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $9,191. Geographic Information Science graduates of Pasadena City College earn a median of $38,841 early in their careers. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

4
Palomar College crest
Palomar College
San Marcos, CA

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Palomar College earned it the #4 place for geographic information science. Palomar College is a very large public school located in the suburb of San Marcos. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Graduates go on to earn a median of $42,300 ten years after entry.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Central New Mexico Community College earned it the #5 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Albuquerque, Central New Mexico Community College is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $2,060 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $8,684. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,112. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $34,751. Set against $10,112 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

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6

California State University Northridge landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,458, with out-of-state students paying around $20,058. Students borrow a median of $8,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from California State University Northridge generally make around $27,002. That is a strong return on a $8,250 median debt. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

7

Austin Community College District ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $2,550, while out-of-state students pay about $10,590. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,519. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,895. That is a strong return on a $14,519 median debt.

8

Florida Atlantic University came in at #8 for value in geographic information science this year. Florida Atlantic University is a very large public school located in the city of Boca Raton. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $4,879, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,692. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,833. That is a strong return on a $19,692 median debt. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.

9
Foothill College crest
Foothill College
Los Altos Hills, CA

Foothill College placed #9 among the best values for geographic information science. Foothill College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, while out-of-state students pay about $12,590. Students borrow a median of $11,595 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Foothill College earn a median of $94,152 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.

10

College Of Southern Idaho landed the #10 spot for geographic information science value this year. College Of Southern Idaho is a large public school located in the city of Twin Falls. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from College Of Southern Idaho generally make around $39,099. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

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11

California State University Long Beach came in at #11 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $52,865. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

12

The University Of West Florida placed #12 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the rural area of Pensacola, The University Of West Florida is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,776, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,677. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 58%.

13

Utah Valley University came in at #13 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Orem, Utah Valley University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,507, with out-of-state students paying around $18,489. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,478 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Utah Valley University generally make around $51,242. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.

14

City College Of San Francisco came in at #14 for value in geographic information science this year. City College Of San Francisco is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $1,696, while out-of-state students pay about $14,656. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $10,332 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from City College Of San Francisco generally make around $100,031. Set against $10,332 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

15

Murray State University placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,420 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $48,423. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 86%.

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16
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University landed the #16 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, with out-of-state students paying around $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Marshall University earn a median of $52,481 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

17

University Of Washington Tacoma Campus landed the #17 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,168, while out-of-state students pay about $43,404. Students borrow a median of $16,151 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $67,975. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 82% of applicants are accepted.

18

Lane Community College earned the #18 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $6,202, with out-of-state students paying around $13,078. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $18,373 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $60,759. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

19

University Of Wyoming placed #19 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the town of Laramie, University Of Wyoming is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,890. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of North Georgia ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the town of Dahlonega, University Of North Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,444, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,439. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. That is a strong return on a $21,439 median debt. University Of North Georgia admits about 68% of applicants.

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21
Lone Star College System crest
Lone Star College System
The Woodlands, TX

Lone Star College System came in at #21 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of The Woodlands, Lone Star College System is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,664, compared with $7,512 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,425 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Lone Star College System generally make around $39,954. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

22

Front Range Community College ranked #22 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Students from in state pay about $4,663 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $17,263. Students borrow a median of $20,354 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $40,414. Set against $20,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.

23
Western Kentucky University crest
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY

Western Kentucky University landed the #23 spot for geographic information science value this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. In-state tuition and fees average $11,652, with out-of-state students paying around $27,000. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,499. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. That is a strong return on a $24,499 median debt. The acceptance rate is 94%.

24
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University landed the #24 spot for geographic information science value 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, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,598. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 24%.

25

Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus ranked #25 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $12,058 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,323. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools

These schools also delivered strong value for geographic information science this year:

26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT
36
37
38
39
40
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50

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Geographic Information Science is one of many programs to choose from within the area of study. Browse the parent area of study.

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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 · 327 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 50 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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