by our College Data Analytics Team
[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.
To produce this 2026 ranking, College Factual evaluated 7 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for geographic information science students.
What’s on this page:
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in geographic information science, balancing cost against outcomes.
Arizona Western College tops our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools in Arizona. Arizona Western College is a large public school located in the city of Yuma. In-state tuition and fees average $3,060, with out-of-state students paying around $9,870. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $44,895.
Arizona State University came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Located in the city of Tempe, Arizona State University is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, with out-of-state students paying around $33,139. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $24,096 in student loans. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $48,740. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 90%.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Northern Arizona University earned it the #3 place for geographic information science. Northern Arizona University is a very large public school located in the city of Flagstaff. In-state tuition and fees average $12,619, compared with $20,044 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $21,645 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Northern Arizona University generally make around $47,056. Set against $21,645 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Northern Arizona University admits about 90% of applicants.
University Of Arizona came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. University Of Arizona is a very large public school located in the city of Tucson. Students from in state pay about $13,573 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $39,903. Students borrow a median of $28,250 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $49,815. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 86% of applicants are accepted.
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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 · 7 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 3 ranked schools only.
More about our data sources and methodologies.