[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 4 schools to build this 2026 ranking of the best value geographic information science schools.
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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 Salem State University the best value for a degree in geographic information science in Massachusetts. Located in the suburb of Salem, Salem State University is a moderately-sized public university. Students from in state pay about $12,338 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $19,531. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $27,000. 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. The acceptance rate is 96%.
University Of Massachusetts Amherst came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Amherst, University Of Massachusetts Amherst is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,772, compared with $40,449 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $25,234 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of Massachusetts Amherst generally make around $53,543. Set against $25,234 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 60% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at Clark University, which ranked #3. Located in the city of Worcester, Clark University is a mid-sized private not-for-profit university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $58,467. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,500 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Clark University earn a median of $42,458 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 40%.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
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Notes and References
This list is compiled 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 · 4 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 1 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.
