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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Bachelor’s Degree Schools

35 Colleges in the United States
$22,069 Avg Student Debt
$63,042 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Bachelor's Degree 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 schools below stand out for delivering a strong geographic information science education at a price that pays off.

College Factual analyzed 327 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.

What’s on this page:

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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

California State University Northridge tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in the United States. Set in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,458, while out-of-state students pay about $20,058. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $8,250. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $27,002. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.

2

California State University Long Beach is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Located in the city of Long Beach, California State University Long Beach is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, while out-of-state students pay about $19,974. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $15,000. Geographic Information Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $32,198 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. California State University Long Beach admits about 46% of applicants.

3
Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Florida State University, which ranked #3. Florida State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tallahassee. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,517, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,707 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Florida State University earn a median of $35,608 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. Florida State University admits about 24% of applicants.

4

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Weber State University earned it the #4 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,176. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Weber State University generally make around $53,920. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

5

University Of North Carolina At Greensboro came in at #5 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,851 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,595. Set against $22,851 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 88%.

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6

University Of Washington Seattle Campus landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,973 in tuition and fees, compared with $43,209 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $17,504. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Seattle Campus generally make around $42,489. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.

7

University Of California Santa Barbara earned the #7 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,444, compared with $47,332 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $13,750 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Santa Barbara generally make around $37,398. That is a strong return on a $13,750 median debt. The acceptance rate is 33%.

8
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah came in at #8 for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Utah is a very large public school located in the city of Salt Lake City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,620, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $12,373 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $41,052. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.

9

University Of North Alabama landed the #9 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $28,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. Set against $28,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 87%.

10

University Of California Los Angeles placed #10 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $14,233 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $13,969. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $36,776. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.

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San Francisco State University placed #11 among the best values for geographic information science. San Francisco State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Francisco. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,846, with out-of-state students paying around $20,446. Students borrow a median of $13,768 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from San Francisco State University generally make around $24,875. Set against $13,768 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. San Francisco State University admits about 96% of applicants.

12

Arizona State University landed the #12 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,223 in tuition and fees, compared with $33,139 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $28,500. Geographic Information Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $49,267 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

13
Indiana State University crest
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN

Indiana State University came in at #13 for value in geographic information science this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,258, compared with $22,322 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,582 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Indiana State University generally make around $53,952. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.

14

West Virginia University came in at #14 for value in geographic information science this year. West Virginia University is a very large public school located in the city of Morgantown. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $34,435. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 89%.

15

University Of Georgia placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Students borrow a median of $22,133 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $26,801. That is a strong return on a $22,133 median debt. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

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16

Humboldt State University earned the #16 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,397 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,997 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $17,412 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Humboldt State University earn a median of $27,355 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $17,412 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.

17

Portland State University came in at #17 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,118, compared with $29,136 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $35,330. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.

18

Brigham Young University Provo ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,360. Geographic Information Science graduates of Brigham Young University Provo earn a median of $40,051 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $10,360 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of North Texas landed the #19 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,309, with out-of-state students paying around $21,149. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,994 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $39,960. That is a strong return on a $20,994 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.

20

University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Charlotte, University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,239, compared with $22,492 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $23,954 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $42,210. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte admits about 80% of applicants.

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University Of Maryland College Park landed the #21 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,809, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,441 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Maryland College Park generally make around $40,913. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Maryland College Park admits about 45% of applicants.

22

University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned the #22 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $18,267, while out-of-state students pay about $40,096. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,214. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.

23

Troy University placed #23 among the best values for geographic information science. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $26,439. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. Set against $26,439 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 96%.

24

San Diego State University earned the #24 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, compared with $21,328 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,999. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $38,648. Set against $14,999 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 36%.

25

University Of Wisconsin Madison placed #25 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,603, compared with $42,103 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $20,250. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.

Rest of the Top 50 Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools

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

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Park University crest
Park University
Parkville, MO
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Michigan State University crest
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
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Other Geographic Information Science Degree Levels

Explore the best-value geographic information science schools at other degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Geographic Information Science
Associate's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
Master's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
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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 · 327 schools evaluated.

*Averages shown above reflect the top 35 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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