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College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
       Unbiased Factual Guarantee

2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Master’s Degree Schools

23 Colleges in the United States
$21,627 Avg Student Debt
$68,722 Avg Median Earnings (10yr)
2026 Best Value Geographic Information Science Master'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. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.

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 Long Beach tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in the United States. California State University Long Beach is a very large public school located in the city of Long Beach. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,374, compared with $19,974 for out-of-state students. 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 $73,531 early in their careers. Set against $15,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.

2

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at The University Of West Florida earned it the #2 place for geographic information science. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Students from in state pay about $5,776 in tuition and fees, compared with $18,658 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $19,677 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $47,141. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.

3

Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Washington Tacoma Campus, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Tacoma, University Of Washington Tacoma Campus is a moderately-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $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. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Washington Tacoma Campus generally make around $67,975. That is a strong return on a $16,151 median debt. University Of Washington Tacoma Campus admits about 82% of applicants.

4
Marshall University crest
Marshall University
Huntington, WV

Marshall University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Marshall University is a large public school located in the city of Huntington. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, while out-of-state students pay about $20,342. Students borrow a median of $25,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Marshall University generally make around $52,481. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.

5

The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned it the #5 place for geographic information science. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,323. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $83,560. Set against $24,323 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.

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Florida State University crest
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL

Florida State University earned the #6 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,517, while out-of-state students pay about $21,683. Students borrow a median of $26,707 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $53,587. That is a strong return on a $26,707 median debt. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.

7
University Of Utah crest
University Of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT

University Of Utah placed #7 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,620 in tuition and fees, compared with $30,860 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,373 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Utah earn a median of $41,052 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

8

University Of California Los Angeles earned the #8 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $13,969 in student loans. 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. The acceptance rate is 9%.

9

Portland State University earned the #9 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Portland, Portland State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $11,118 in tuition and fees, 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 $67,045 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 91%.

10

University Of Georgia earned the #10 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, with out-of-state students paying around $31,688. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,133 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Georgia generally make around $26,801. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Georgia admits about 38% of applicants.

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Western Illinois University earned the #11 position for value in geographic information science this year. Western Illinois University is a moderately-sized public school located in the town of Macomb. In-state tuition and fees average $14,572. Students borrow a median of $27,639 to complete the geographic information science program here. 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.

12

Arizona State University ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,096. Geographic Information Science graduates of Arizona State University earn a median of $55,326 early in their careers. Set against $24,096 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Arizona State University admits about 90% of applicants.

13

Northern Arizona University landed the #13 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Flagstaff, Northern Arizona University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,619, with out-of-state students paying around $20,044. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,645 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.

14

Northwest Missouri State University earned the #14 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the town of Maryville, Northwest Missouri State University is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $10,611, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $23,585. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,939. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Northwest Missouri State University admits about 86% of applicants.

15

University Of Maryland College Park placed #15 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the suburb of College Park, University Of Maryland College Park is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,809 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $41,186. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,441. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Maryland College Park earn a median of $40,913 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 45%.

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University Of Wisconsin Madison ranked #16 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Madison, University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $11,603 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $42,103. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,250 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Wisconsin Madison earn a median of $74,365 early in their careers. Set against $20,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Wisconsin Madison admits about 45% of applicants.

17

San Diego State University landed the #17 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of San Diego, San Diego State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,999 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of San Diego State University earn a median of $38,648 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 36%.

18

Texas State University San Marcos ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos 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 $22,930. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,021. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,590. Set against $24,021 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 89% of applicants are accepted.

19

University Of Minnesota Twin Cities came in at #19 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $17,214 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $38,362. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $20,500. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Minnesota Twin Cities earn a median of $38,019 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.

20

University Of Arizona ranked #20 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Tucson, University Of Arizona is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, compared with $39,903 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $56,801. Set against $28,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.

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Johns Hopkins University ranked #21 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Johns Hopkins University earn a median of $75,503 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $13,426 median debt. The acceptance rate is 6%.

22

George Mason University landed the #22 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,220, with out-of-state students paying around $38,688. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,000. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from George Mason University generally make around $49,568. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.

23

University Of Maryland Baltimore County ranked #23 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the suburb of Baltimore, University Of Maryland Baltimore County is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,256, with out-of-state students paying around $31,225. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $21,331 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,179. Set against $21,331 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. University Of Maryland Baltimore County admits about 72% of applicants.

24
Unity College crest
Unity College
New Gloucester, ME

Unity College placed #24 among the best values for geographic information science. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. In-state tuition and fees average $12,640. Students borrow a median of $27,083 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Unity College generally make around $36,144. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.

25

Pennsylvania State University World Campus landed the #25 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of University Park, Pennsylvania State University World Campus is a large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $15,356. Ten years after enrolling, students earn a median of $63,435. The acceptance rate is 91%.

Rest of the Top 33 Best Value Geographic Information Science Schools

Not far behind, these schools also offered excellent value in geographic information science:

26
27
28
29
Clark University crest
Clark University
Worcester, MA
30
University Of Pennsylvania crest
University Of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA
31
32
33

Other Geographic Information Science Degree Levels

Looking for a different degree level? Compare best-value Geographic Information Science rankings across degree levels:

All Degree Levels in Geographic Information Science
Associate's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
Bachelor's Degrees in Geographic Information Science
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View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >

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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 23 ranked schools only.

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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