[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 59 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geographic information science students.
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If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
Our analysis ranked San Diego Mesa College the best value for a degree in geographic information science in the Far Western Region. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego Mesa College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,146, with out-of-state students paying around $10,002. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $6,999 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $29,852. That is a strong return on a $6,999 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Pasadena City College earned it the #2 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Pasadena, Pasadena City College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,180, compared with $10,924 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $9,191 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $38,841. Set against $9,191 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
A rank of #3 makes American River College one of the best values for geographic information science. Located in the suburb of Sacramento, American River College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $1,288, while out-of-state students pay about $12,616. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,105 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $76,077. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Palomar College is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of San Marcos, Palomar College is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $1,354, while out-of-state students pay about $10,650. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $42,300.
California State University Northridge is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Northridge, California State University Northridge is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $7,458, compared with $20,058 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $8,250 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $27,002. Set against $8,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 93% of applicants are accepted.
Foothill College landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Los Altos Hills, Foothill College is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $1,565, with out-of-state students paying around $12,590. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $11,595. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Foothill College generally make around $94,152. That is a strong return on a $11,595 median debt.
City College Of San Francisco landed the #7 spot for geographic information science value 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, compared with $14,656 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $10,332 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of City College Of San Francisco earn a median of $100,031 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
California State University Long Beach earned the #8 position 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. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, with out-of-state students paying around $19,974. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $15,000 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of California State University Long Beach earn a median of $52,865 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Lane Community College placed #9 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the suburb of Eugene, Lane Community College is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,202, compared with $13,078 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $18,373 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Lane Community College earn a median of $60,759 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
University Of Washington Tacoma Campus placed #10 among the best values for geographic information science. 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, with out-of-state students paying around $43,404. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $16,151. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $67,975. Set against $16,151 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.
Portland Community College ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Portland Community College is a very large public school located in the city of Portland. Students from in state pay about $5,220 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $10,440. Students borrow a median of $21,644 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Portland Community College earn a median of $38,714 early in their careers. Set against $21,644 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Green River Community College landed the #12 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Green River Community College is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $4,711, while out-of-state students pay about $5,263. Median earnings reach $50,712 ten years out.
San Francisco State University placed #13 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of San Francisco, San Francisco State University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,846, compared with $20,446 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,768 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of San Francisco State University earn a median of $24,875 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,768 median debt. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Washington Seattle Campus ranked #14 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Seattle, University Of Washington Seattle Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,973, with out-of-state students paying around $43,209. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $17,504. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $55,232. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Washington Seattle Campus admits about 39% of applicants.
Portland State University landed the #15 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,118, while out-of-state students pay about $29,136. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Portland State University earn a median of $51,188 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Portland State University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Santa Barbara landed the #16 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Santa Barbara, University Of California Santa Barbara is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $15,444 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $47,332. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $13,750. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $37,398. Set against $13,750 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 33%.
Eastern Washington University came in at #17 for value in geographic information science this year. Eastern Washington University is a large public school located in the town of Cheney. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,586, while out-of-state students pay about $26,583. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,754 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Eastern Washington University earn a median of $47,144 early in their careers. Set against $21,754 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Eastern Washington University admits about 91% of applicants.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #18 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $13,969. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Los Angeles generally make around $36,776. That is a strong return on a $13,969 median debt. Roughly 9% of applicants are accepted.
Humboldt State University ranked #19 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the town of Arcata, Humboldt State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $8,397, with out-of-state students paying around $20,997. Students borrow a median of $17,412 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Humboldt State University generally make around $27,355. That is a strong return on a $17,412 median debt. Humboldt State University admits about 98% of applicants.
University Of California Davis placed #20 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the suburb of Davis, University Of California Davis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,804, compared with $47,692 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $14,404 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of California Davis generally make around $53,749. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 42%.
San Diego State University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $14,999. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $38,648. That is a strong return on a $14,999 median debt. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
Columbia College Sonora placed #22 among the best values for geographic information science. Columbia College Sonora is a mid-sized public school located in the rural area of Sonora. In-state tuition and fees average $1,282, while out-of-state students pay about $9,264. Students borrow a median of $13,293 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Columbia College Sonora generally make around $103,727. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Oregon State University landed the #23 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Corvallis, Oregon State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,400, while out-of-state students pay about $38,190. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,043 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Oregon State University earn a median of $51,000 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Oregon State University admits about 77% of applicants.
Western Washington University ranked #24 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Bellingham, Western Washington University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,582, compared with $28,707 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,500 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $32,081. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 93%.
University Of Oregon landed the #25 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Eugene, University Of Oregon is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,320, with out-of-state students paying around $42,516. Students borrow a median of $22,775 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $45,030. That is a strong return on a $22,775 median debt. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geographic information science:
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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 · 59 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 9 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.
