[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
For its 2026 best-value ranking, College Factual looked at 61 schools to find the best return on investment 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.
Leading the list is Florida Atlantic University, our #1 best value for geographic information science in the Southeast Region. Set in the city of Boca Raton, Florida Atlantic University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $4,879, compared with $17,324 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,692. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $42,833. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 66% of applicants are accepted.
Students looking for strong value in geographic information science will find it at The University Of West Florida, which ranked #2. The University Of West Florida is a large public school located in the rural area of Pensacola. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $5,776, while out-of-state students pay about $18,658. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $19,677. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from The University Of West Florida generally make around $47,141. Set against $19,677 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The University Of West Florida admits about 58% of applicants.
Murray State University came in at #3 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Murray State University is a large public school located in the town of Murray. In-state tuition and fees average $9,900, while out-of-state students pay about $19,836. Students borrow a median of $23,420 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Murray State University earn a median of $48,423 early in their careers. Set against $23,420 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 86%.
Marshall University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #4 spot this year. Located in the city of Huntington, Marshall University is a large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,162, compared with $20,342 for out-of-state students. 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. Set against $25,250 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Marshall University admits about 96% of applicants.
A rank of #5 makes University Of North Georgia one of the best values for geographic information science. University Of North Georgia is a very large public school located in the town of Dahlonega. Students from in state pay about $5,444 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $16,956. Students borrow a median of $21,439 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Georgia generally make around $43,714. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Western Kentucky University came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. Western Kentucky University is a large public school located in the city of Bowling Green. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,652, compared with $27,000 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,499 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Western Kentucky University generally make around $44,778. Set against $24,499 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 94%.
Florida State University ranked #7 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Tallahassee, Florida State University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $6,517 in tuition and fees, compared with $21,683 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $26,707. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Florida State University generally make around $44,598. Set against $26,707 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 24% of applicants are accepted.
Eastern Kentucky University ranked #8 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Eastern Kentucky University is a large public school located in the town of Richmond. In-state tuition and fees average $10,320, while out-of-state students pay about $21,230. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $25,122. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Eastern Kentucky University generally make around $43,891. That is a strong return on a $25,122 median debt. Eastern Kentucky University admits about 78% of applicants.
University Of North Carolina At Greensboro ranked #9 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Greensboro, University Of North Carolina At Greensboro is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $7,661, compared with $24,012 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,851 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of University Of North Carolina At Greensboro earn a median of $42,595 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 88% of applicants are accepted.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus landed the #10 spot for geographic information science value this year. 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, compared with $34,484 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earn a median of $83,560 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 14%.
University Of North Alabama placed #11 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,120 in tuition and fees, compared with $22,320 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $28,500. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Alabama generally make around $41,076. That is a strong return on a $28,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 87%.
West Virginia University placed #12 among the best values for geographic information science. Located in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $10,104 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $28,608. Students borrow a median of $23,089 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $34,435. That is a strong return on a $23,089 median debt. The acceptance rate is 89%.
University Of Georgia ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Set in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $31,688. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,133. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $26,801. Set against $22,133 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte placed #14 among the best values for geographic information science. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,954 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Charlotte generally make around $42,210. That is a strong return on a $23,954 median debt. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Troy University came in at #15 for value in geographic information science this year. Troy University is a large public school located in the town of Troy. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, while out-of-state students pay about $20,352. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $26,439 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Troy University generally make around $46,723. That is a strong return on a $26,439 median debt. Troy University admits about 96% of applicants.
Georgia State University landed the #16 spot for geographic information science value this year. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia State University is a very large public institution. Students from in state pay about $8,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $24,840. Students borrow a median of $26,091 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Georgia State University earn a median of $51,103 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,091 median debt. Georgia State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Kennesaw State University came in at #17 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the suburb of Kennesaw, Kennesaw State University is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $5,808, with out-of-state students paying around $17,736. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $32,500 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Kennesaw State University generally make around $40,020. That is a strong return on a $32,500 median debt. Roughly 69% of applicants are accepted.
George Mason University earned the #18 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the suburb of Fairfax, George Mason University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,220, while out-of-state students pay about $38,688. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,000. Geographic Information Science graduates of George Mason University earn a median of $49,568 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $22,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
University Of Louisville earned the #19 position for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of Louisville, University Of Louisville is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $13,136, compared with $29,482 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,910 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $37,844. That is a strong return on a $21,910 median debt. University Of Louisville admits about 79% of applicants.
The University Of Tennessee placed #20 among the best values for geographic information science. Set in the city of Knoxville, The University Of Tennessee is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $13,812, while out-of-state students pay about $33,256. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $26,000. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from The University Of Tennessee generally make around $44,553. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 42% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Commonwealth University came in at #21 for value in geographic information science this year. Virginia Commonwealth University is a very large public school located in the city of Richmond. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $16,720, while out-of-state students pay about $39,884. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $23,813 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Virginia Commonwealth University generally make around $57,000. Set against $23,813 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 93%.
Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College earned the #22 position for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University And Agricultural And Mechanical College is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $11,954, compared with $28,631 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $21,348. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,718. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 73%.
University Of Mary Washington landed the #23 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the suburb of Fredericksburg, University Of Mary Washington is a mid-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $14,905, with out-of-state students paying around $28,083. Students borrow a median of $19,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $43,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 80% of applicants are accepted.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University landed the #24 spot for geographic information science value this year. Located in the city of Blacksburg, Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University is a very large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,948, with out-of-state students paying around $37,764. Students borrow a median of $20,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Geographic Information Science graduates of Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University earn a median of $39,328 early in their careers. Set against $20,500 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Virginia Polytechnic Institute And State University admits about 55% of applicants.
Auburn University landed the #25 spot for geographic information science value this year. Auburn University is a very large public school located in the city of Auburn. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $12,890, with out-of-state students paying around $34,922. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $22,803 in student loans. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. That is a strong return on a $22,803 median debt. The acceptance rate is 46%.
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Notes and References
This ranking is produced 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 · 61 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 7 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.
