[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 48 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.
Western Illinois University earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in the Great Lakes Region. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,572. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,639 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,926. Set against $27,639 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 71% of applicants are accepted.
Indiana State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Indiana State University is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Terre Haute. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,258, with out-of-state students paying around $22,322. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,582. Geographic Information Science graduates of Indiana State University earn a median of $53,952 early in their careers. Set against $25,582 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 81%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Located in the city of Champaign, University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $18,267 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $40,096. Students borrow a median of $25,000 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Illinois At Urbana Champaign earn a median of $42,214 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 42%.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Wisconsin Madison one of the best values for geographic information science. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $20,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $58,681. That is a strong return on a $20,250 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire earned it the #5 place for geographic information science. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire is a large public school located in the city of Eau Claire. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,642, with out-of-state students paying around $19,228. Students borrow a median of $21,212 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire generally make around $40,048. Set against $21,212 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Eau Claire admits about 82% of applicants.
Grand Valley State University came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,875 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $36,367 early in their careers. Set against $21,875 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Grand Valley State University admits about 83% of applicants.
Kent State University At Kent landed the #7 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Kent, Kent State University At Kent is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,220, compared with $21,575 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,174 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Kent State University At Kent generally make around $42,015. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
Michigan State University came in at #8 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of East Lansing, Michigan State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $18,079 in tuition and fees, compared with $44,850 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,213 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $54,166. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Michigan State University admits about 85% of applicants.
University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earned the #9 position for value in geographic information science this year. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus is a very large public school located in the city of Cincinnati. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,363, with out-of-state students paying around $28,697. Students borrow a median of $23,530 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Cincinnati Main Campus earn a median of $58,659 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Cincinnati Main Campus admits about 85% of applicants.
Calvin College landed the #10 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Grand Rapids, Calvin College is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $39,350. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,707 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Calvin College earn a median of $44,220 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,707 median debt. Calvin College admits about 71% of applicants.
Depaul University landed the #11 spot for geographic information science value this year. Depaul University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Chicago. In-state tuition and fees average $45,405. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,412 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,464. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published 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 · 48 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 8 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.
