[Geographic Information Science](/majors/social-sciences/geography-and-cartography/geographic-information-science/) is a field worth comparing on the balance of cost and outcomes. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
College Factual analyzed 18 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.
Austin Community College District earned the #1 spot for value among geographic information science schools in Texas. Set in the city of Austin, Austin Community College District is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $2,550, with out-of-state students paying around $10,590. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $14,519 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Austin Community College District earn a median of $44,895 early in their careers. Set against $14,519 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
Lone Star College System is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #2 spot this year. Lone Star College System is a very large public school located in the city of The Woodlands. Students from in state pay about $2,664 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $7,512. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $10,425. Geographic Information Science graduates of Lone Star College System earn a median of $39,954 early in their careers. Set against $10,425 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff.
University Of North Texas is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #3 spot this year. Set in the city of Denton, University Of North Texas is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $11,309, compared with $21,149 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $20,994 to complete the geographic information science program here. Early-career geographic information science graduates make about $39,960. That is a strong return on a $20,994 median debt. Roughly 72% of applicants are accepted.
Stephen F Austin State University came in at #4 on our 2026 list of the best value geographic information science schools. Stephen F Austin State University is a large public school located in the town of Nacogdoches. Students from in state pay about $11,128 in tuition and fees, compared with $20,968 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,759. Geographic Information Science graduates of Stephen F Austin State University earn a median of $42,197 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $24,759 median debt. Roughly 94% of applicants are accepted.
Sam Houston State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in geographic information science, landing the #5 spot this year. Sam Houston State University is a very large public school located in the town of Huntsville. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $9,228, compared with $19,068 for out-of-state students. Geographic Information Science graduates carry a median of $25,156 in student loans. Geographic Information Science graduates of Sam Houston State University earn a median of $35,936 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,156 median debt. The acceptance rate is 90%.
Texas State University San Marcos came in at #6 for value in geographic information science this year. Located in the city of San Marcos, Texas State University San Marcos is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, while out-of-state students pay about $22,930. Typical student debt for geographic information science graduates is $24,021. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Texas State University San Marcos generally make around $44,590. That is a strong return on a $24,021 median debt. Texas State University San Marcos admits about 89% of applicants.
Texas A And M University College Station came in at #7 for value in geographic information science this year. Set in the city of College Station, Texas A And M University College Station is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,995, while out-of-state students pay about $40,124. Students borrow a median of $16,479 to complete the geographic information science program here. Soon after graduation, geographic information science degree recipients from Texas A And M University College Station generally make around $54,204. That is a strong return on a $16,479 median debt. Roughly 57% of applicants are accepted.
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 · 18 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 5 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.
