[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 8 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes 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.
University Of North Alabama earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in Alabama. Located in the city of Florence, University Of North Alabama is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,120, while out-of-state students pay about $22,320. Students borrow a median of $28,500 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $41,076. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. University Of North Alabama admits about 87% of applicants.
A rank of #2 makes Troy University one of the best values for geographic information science. Set in the town of Troy, Troy University is a large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,176, compared with $20,352 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $26,439. 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. Roughly 96% of applicants are accepted.
Auburn University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Located in the city of Auburn, Auburn University is a very large public university. Students from in state pay about $12,890 in tuition and fees, compared with $34,922 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $22,803. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Auburn University generally make around $55,422. Set against $22,803 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 46%.
More Geographic Information Science Rankings
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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 · 8 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.
