[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
College Factual analyzed 14 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
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Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Our analysis ranked Unity College the best value for a degree in geographic information science in the New England Region. Unity College is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit school located in the rural area of New Gloucester. Students from in state pay about $12,640 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $27,083. Geographic Information Science graduates of Unity College earn a median of $36,144 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,083 median debt.
Plymouth State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the town of Plymouth, Plymouth State University is a mid-sized public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,626, with out-of-state students paying around $25,566. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $26,972. Geographic Information Science graduates of Plymouth State University earn a median of $45,528 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #3 makes Salem State University one of the best values for geographic information science. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,338, while out-of-state students pay about $19,531. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Salem State University generally make around $32,504. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
A rank of #4 makes University Of Rhode Island one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the suburb of Kingston, University Of Rhode Island is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $16,942 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $37,146. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $23,432. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Rhode Island earn a median of $52,821 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at University Of Connecticut, which ranked #5. Located in the town of Storrs, University Of Connecticut is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $21,044, while out-of-state students pay about $43,712. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,637 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $58,784. That is a strong return on a $23,637 median debt. Roughly 52% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst landed the #6 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, while out-of-state students pay about $40,449. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,234. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. That is a strong return on a $25,234 median debt. University Of Massachusetts Amherst admits about 60% of applicants.
Clark University landed the #7 spot for geographic information science value this year. Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Worcester. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $58,467. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Clark University generally make around $42,458. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. Clark University admits about 40% of applicants.
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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 · 14 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 2 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.
