[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 30 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geographic information science students.
What’s on this page:
If you want to know which schools deliver the best value for the geographic information science degrees they offer, see the list below.
College Of Southern Idaho tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in the Rocky Mountains Region. Located in the city of Twin Falls, College Of Southern Idaho is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $3,360, with out-of-state students paying around $6,840. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $11,175 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of College Of Southern Idaho earn a median of $39,099 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value.
Utah Valley University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Utah Valley University is a very large public school located in the city of Orem. Students from in state pay about $6,507 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $18,489. Students borrow a median of $16,478 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Utah Valley University earn a median of $51,242 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $16,478 median debt.
A rank of #3 makes University Of Wyoming one of the best values for geographic information science. University Of Wyoming is a large public school located in the town of Laramie. In-state tuition and fees average $7,768, with out-of-state students paying around $24,178. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,283 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,890. Set against $20,283 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 97% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Front Range Community College earned it the #4 place for geographic information science. Front Range Community College is a very large public school located in the suburb of Westminster. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $4,663, compared with $17,263 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $20,354 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Front Range Community College generally make around $40,414. Set against $20,354 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Weber State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Located in the city of Ogden, Weber State University is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $6,557, with out-of-state students paying around $17,545. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,176. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $53,920. Set against $19,176 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Utah State University earned the #6 position for value in geographic information science this year. Utah State University is a very large public school located in the city of Logan. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,560, compared with $24,993 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $16,191 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Utah State University earn a median of $65,286 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Utah State University admits about 92% of applicants.
University Of Utah earned the #7 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Salt Lake City, University Of Utah is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $9,620, while out-of-state students pay about $30,860. Students borrow a median of $12,373 to complete the geographic information science program here. 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. University Of Utah admits about 86% of applicants.
University Of Idaho landed the #8 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the town of Moscow, University Of Idaho is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $9,084, while out-of-state students pay about $28,320. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,250 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $43,246. That is a strong return on a $22,250 median debt. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
Central Wyoming College earned the #9 position for value in geographic information science this year. Central Wyoming College is a mid-sized public school located in the town of Riverton. In-state tuition and fees average $4,800, while out-of-state students pay about $11,100. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $12,820 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Central Wyoming College generally make around $65,164. That is a strong return on a $12,820 median debt.
Brigham Young University Provo ranked #10 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Provo. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $10,360 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $40,051. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 68%.
The University Of Montana earned the #11 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Missoula, The University Of Montana is a large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,552, while out-of-state students pay about $33,671. Students borrow a median of $24,342 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from The University Of Montana generally make around $42,654. Set against $24,342 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Fort Lewis College placed #12 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the town of Durango, Fort Lewis College is a mid-sized public institution. Students from in state pay about $9,958 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $21,526. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $18,888. Geographic Information Science graduates of Fort Lewis College earn a median of $30,676 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,888 median debt. Roughly 77% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Colorado Denver earned the #13 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Denver, University Of Colorado Denver is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $10,383, compared with $29,391 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,468 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of Colorado Denver earn a median of $39,104 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,468 median debt. University Of Colorado Denver admits about 75% of applicants.
University Of Denver placed #14 among the best values for geographic information science. University Of Denver is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of Denver. In-state tuition and fees average $61,398. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,534. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $58,717. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of Denver admits about 78% of applicants.
Narrow Geographic Information Science Schools by State
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
View All Geographic Information Science Rankings >
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 · 30 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.
